Why you should learn AI skills to excel at your job

Last updated on 6th June, 2024 at 03:34 pm

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the financial services industry and many others. Here are the AI skills you need to succeed now and in your future roles and how to get them.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article, you’ll learn:

• People should learn about AI now to excel in their future roles
• How AI can enhance jobs across many sectors
• How people can go about acquiring the relevant AI skills

Best described as machines simulating the human intelligence process, Artificial Intelligence – or AI – is something that is rising rapidly. From the chatbots on our phones to huge factory assembly lines, experts are constantly finding new ways to harness this technology to enhance everything from production to user experiences (and much, much more). As such, people should be embracing this new and constantly evolving technology and learning about it to excel in their jobs now and in the future.

Lazola Ngqaza, CIO: Head of Business Solutions at SanlamConnect, says that AI is not a buzzword or a fad but a reality that is shaping the way people do business and deliver value. “I feel that everyone, from board level to frontline staff, should have a basic understanding of what AI is, what it can do and how it can be applied to their specific functions and domains. This does not mean that everyone needs to be a data scientist or a coder, but they need to be aware of the opportunities and challenges that AI presents and how they can collaborate with the experts to leverage AI for the benefit of the business and its customers.”

Boost your career with AI

The ways in which AI can develop your skills, improve your career prospects, and even simplify your day are vast. There are also different ways that it is being used across fields for accelerated performance.

• In finance “AI can help us improve risk management, fraud detection, customer segmentation and personalisation by analysing large and complex data sets, identifying patterns and anomalies, and generating insights and recommendations. What’s more, it can also help us optimise operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency by streamlining our processes, enhancing our workflows, and improving our decision-making,” explains Ngqaza.
• In advertising “AI can help us create more engaging and relevant content by understanding customers’ preferences, behaviours, emotions and by generating personalised and dynamic messages and offers. AI can also help us measure and optimise our campaigns by tracking and analysing the performance and impact of our ads and by providing feedback and suggestions for improvement,” he says.
• In entrepreneurship Ngqaza remarks that “AI can help us discover new opportunities by identifying gaps in the market and generating novel and innovative ideas and solutions. It can also help validate and test assumptions by conducting experiments and simulations and by collecting and analysing feedback and data as well as help scale and grow businesses by automating and enhancing processes, products and services and by expanding reach”

How to acquire AI skills

There are many ways for people to learn and acquire AI skills, it just – according to Ngqaza – depends on their level of interest, motivation and experience. Some of the most popular and accessible ways include:

• Taking an online course. “There are programmes that cover the fundamentals and the applications of AI, such as Coursera, edX, Udacity, or Udemy.”
• Consuming AI-related content. “Read books or listen to podcasts such as AI Superpowers, The AI Advantage, or The AI Podcast. These resources can help people stay updated and informed on the latest trends and developments.”
• Networking with like-minded people. “Join communities or networks that connect and support people who are interested or involved in AI, such as Meetup, Kaggle or Women in AI. These can provide those who are interested with some of the best opportunities for learning, sharing and collaborating with peers and experts in AI.”
• Looking for a mentor. “Seeking mentorship or guidance from people who have experience and expertise in the field of AI, such as colleagues, managers, or external advisors, is a good idea. They can provide advice and offer support and direction for people who want to advance their AI skills and careers.”