Capabilities Articulated, Yet Could Be More on Imperatives and Necessity - As I was looking into business books, this title caught my eye as a possible useful supplement to other books I have been reading on Artificial Intelligence (AI) use. The book does deal with the capabilities that will be needed as well as well as the rationale for their significance. Yet somehow there could be more attention to the extent and necessity regarding the magnitude of development that may be imperative as Suleyman indicates in his book “The Coming Wave” (see my review).
The book consists of an Introduction, 20 chapters coinciding with the title, and Final Words. Namely, the chapters and 20 skills are as follows: (1) Digital Literacy, (2) Data Literacy, (3)Technical Skills, (4) Digital Threat Awareness, (5) Critical Thinking, (6) Judgment and Complex Decision Making, (7) Emotional Intelligence and Empathy, (8) Creativity, (9) Collaboration and Working in Teams, (10) Interpersonal Communication, (11) Working in Gigs, (12) Adaptability and Flexibility, (13) Cultural Intelligence and Diversity Consciousness, (14) Ethical Awareness, (15) Leadership Skills, (16) Brand of "You" and Networking, (17) Time Management, (18) Curiosity and Continuous Learning, (19) Embracing and Celebrating Change, and (20) Looking After Yourself. There is information About the Author and an Index as well.
Parts that stood out for me included confirmation of the digital and technical skills required, but also the other skills becoming paramount with the advent of AI. For instance, from early on (Kindle Location 694) Marr observes that “Technology is changing our world to such an extent that the majority of children in school today will do jobs that don't yet exist.” Later (in Location 815), he summarizes that “What can be automated will be automated, leaving humans to do the work that we're ultimately better suited to—tasks that rely on distinctly human skills like complex decision-making, creativity, empathy and emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication.” As I read, I couldn’t help thinking of titles like Schwartz et al’s “Work Disrupted: Opportunity, Resilience, and Growth in the Accelerated Future of Work” (see my review).
Going forward Marr admits (in Location 925) that “AI is going to augment almost every job that humans do” the author explains (in Location 929) that “AI (to use the catchall term) is essentially about using data to make more accurate predictions and better decisions.” Further (in Location 996) he indicates that “. . . asking questions such as “Where has this data come from?” “Is this data valid?” and “Is the data biased?” will become important. Continuing (in Location 999) Marr relates that “AI will also be the lynchpin of the metaverse—a virtual world, like the internet” that will become widespread. Given such projections, he conveys (Location 1088) the significance in understanding “. . . how AI and other related technologies will impact life and work” and the importance of such capacities as “critical thinking” and planning to “read more” (e.g., as in Locations 1100 and 2224). Such comments bring to mind other titles that may be pertinent such as Mayer’s “Dear Fellow Time-Binder: Letters on General Semantics” and Wolf’s “Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World” (see my reviews).
While all this is well and good, the book seems wanting in its the slant toward fitting in to current businesses and circumstances. It also appears like Marr downplays the potential rapidity and urgency regarding potential change forthcoming. There is attention to the gig economy and management of one’s personal brand, but it seems that creation of new businesses and forging alternative ways to make a living will also be important. Furthermore, it appears our young people need to be developing the skills they will need now. There is some consolation in that they are maturing within our digital environment and are likely becoming more acclimated than those of us who are older and may have a better perspective for their years ahead (e.g., see my review of Stolzoff’s “The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work”).
Even with my criticism, it is helpful there are those like Marr who are making efforts to identify and encourage development of such “Future Skills.”