“Assume that you can” sounds like a motivational slogan, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s a result of willpower crumbling under New Year’s resolutions, but I believe everyone needs this message. Assume that you can do something—not just individually. Take risks. Assume that you can and that others can help you.
We often limit ourselves, fear failure, perfectionism digs its claws into our plans, and lack of support from our environment defeats us. We compare ourselves to others, forgetting about our own unique abilities. But what if we try? What if it turns out we can do more than we think?
My example is this newsletter. Writing is my passion, but regularly sharing my thoughts on LinkedIn was a big challenge for me. For a long time, I postponed this moment, afraid of negative comments or lack of interest. Finally, I decided to take the risk. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. 1,200 people following my newsletter exceeded my wildest expectations.
That’s why the simple “Assume that you can” is more than just a motivational slogan for me. It’s a reminder that we have more strength and determination in us than we realize. That it’s worth believing in yourself and your capabilities. That it’s worth taking risks because often that’s when we make the greatest progress.
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“Prompting Parties” – How PwC Prepares Employees for the Future
One interesting example of preparing employees to work with AI is PwC’s initiative that introduced so-called “prompting parties” – workshops where employees can experiment with AI tools like Microsoft Copilot or ChatPwC.
Last year, nearly 500 such meetings were held, aimed at creating a safe and informal environment for learning and playing with AI. Employees can freely test various possibilities without the pressure of completing client projects. This initiative has attracted enormous interest, showing that employees are open to new technologies and want to develop.
Other large companies, such as EY and Thomson Reuters, are also investing in AI training. This demonstrates that awareness of artificial intelligence’s importance is growing in business.
However, AI’s development also brings challenges. The World Economic Forum’s report on the future of work indicates that while many companies plan to train employees in AI, they simultaneously anticipate employment reduction. This means the key to success in the future job market will not only be knowledge of AI tools but primarily soft skills like creativity, problem-solving ability, and adaptability.
Imagine an employee participating in such a “prompting party”. On one hand, they feel excitement, discovering the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence. On the other hand, concerns about their job’s future might arise. What skills will they need to develop to remain competitive in the job market?
Companies like Duolingo, Dropbox, and Meta are already making decisions about reducing employment, citing AI’s progress. This is a signal that the job market is undergoing a profound transformation. However, instead of seeing AI only as a threat, it’s worth recognizing it as an opportunity for developing new professions and more creative forms of work.
“Prompting Parties” at PwC exemplify how companies can prepare for the future. By investing in employee development, creating spaces for experimentation, and focusing on innovative solutions, they can not only survive but also succeed in the era of artificial intelligence.
AI at Work: Are We Utilizing Its Potential?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering our workplaces. However, as Nathan Warren notes in Exponential View, many companies are still using it only superficially.
Most enterprises use AI for simple tasks, such as drafting email sketches or summarizing reports. It’s like using a hammer to drive nails when you have an entire workshop of tools at your disposal. Real AI integration requires deeper changes, completely restructuring business processes. Nvidia offers an example, of using AI for complex tasks like designing integrated circuits or ensuring cybersecurity.
AI Is Not a Democrat
Although theoretically, every employee should have equal access to AI tools, in practice the situation looks different. Experienced employees who have greater autonomy in their work and more easily acquire new skills adapt faster and benefit more from AI utilization. Younger employees just starting their careers might struggle to keep up with these changes, especially if they lack appropriate employer support.
AI Bans Are Ineffective
Attempts to completely ban AI use at work are usually ineffective. Especially younger generations often use AI tools secretly. Instead of prohibitions, it’s worth encouraging experimentation and responsible AI use. As consulting firm Bain & Company indicates, such an approach can lead to significant productivity increases.
Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizes Education in Nigeria
Remember when the only classroom equipment was a blackboard and chalk? Today, the world of education, like many other areas of life, is preparing for another revolution, driven by artificial intelligence (AI).
A World Bank article describes a pilot learning program in Nigeria that used generative artificial intelligence as a virtual tutor. The results are promising!
AI – Your Personal Teacher?
“AI can respond to all your needs, depending on the instruction you give it,” says Omorogbe Uyiosa, one of the program participants.
Program Effects: Improved Learning Results: After six weeks of classes, AI group students achieved better test scores in English and demonstrated greater knowledge about artificial intelligence itself and increased digital skills.
Snowball Effect: The benefits extended beyond the program’s scope. AI group students also performed better on final exams in other subjects. Perhaps they learned to study more effectively and acquire knowledge independently.
Opportunity for Everyone: The program helped both top and struggling students. Particularly, girls benefited from the classes, which may help reduce learning differences between genders.
More is Better: The more AI classes students attended, the greater the benefits they received. Each additional day of learning brought tangible results.
The results are impressive! After six weeks of learning, AI group students achieved a knowledge level corresponding to almost two years of traditional system learning! This is a much better result than 80% of educational programs studied in developing countries.
What’s Next? This is just the beginning of the journey. Scientists want to investigate the program’s long-term effects and AI’s impact on learning methods. An important question is also the role of teachers in the era of virtual tutors. Can AI replace traditional education, or rather complement it?
Think about your education. Would you like to learn with the help of artificial intelligence? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Future of Work. Will Capital Win?
The world of work is undergoing a revolution driven by artificial intelligence development. Automation of many tasks raises questions about the future of employment and the human role in the economy. One of the most pessimistic scenarios is one where artificial intelligence takes over most tasks currently performed by humans, and capital becomes the dominant force in the economy.
The End of Work as the Primary Income Source? Traditionally, work was the primary income source for most people. We sold our time and skills in exchange for compensation. With the development of artificial intelligence that can perform many tasks faster, cheaper, and more accurately than humans, the value of our work may significantly decrease.
Rising Importance of Capital
In this new order, capital owners – those who control means of production such as factories, technologies, and data – will have the greatest advantage. Artificial intelligence can increase company productivity, generating larger profits for their owners. Consequently, this may lead to an even greater concentration of wealth in the hands of a small group of people.
Lack of Social Mobility? The author suggests that such a development could lead to a static society where social advancement becomes difficult. If most work is performed by machines and people are provided only a basic income, motivation for innovation and development may significantly weaken. Moreover, the concentration of power in the hands of a small group of people could limit possibilities for social change.
What Can We Do?
Although the future may seem pessimistic, the author believes we are not helpless. Various solutions can help us prepare for upcoming changes:
- AI Regulations: Appropriate regulations must be introduced to ensure artificial intelligence development occurs responsibly and ethically.
- Education Investment: We must equip people with skills that cannot be easily automated, such as creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Universal Basic Income (UBI): Introducing a basic income can provide everyone with a fundamental standard of living, regardless of employment status.
Freelancing: What Trends Rule on Upwork?
In previous and current newsletter editions, I’ve devoted considerable attention to artificial intelligence. Now I’ll focus on another hot topic – freelancing.
The Vollna report, dedicated to the freelancing job market, provides valuable insights about trends and opportunities on the Upwork platform. The analysis is based on data from the last two years, including information about projects, freelancer profiles, and clients.
Creative Projects Dominate: It turns out that software development and design projects dominate the platform, comprising nearly 50% of the market. Significant growth was observed in customer service and IT and computer networks categories. In contrast, industries like law, writing, and translation show a downward trend.
Why the Decline? Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing the job market. Particularly, copywriting and translation branches are feeling its impact. AI can generate texts, and translate, which may lead to decreased demand for human translators and copywriters. Freelancers in these fields must be prepared for continuous skill improvement and specialization in areas difficult to replace with artificial intelligence, such as creative writing or translations requiring deep cultural context understanding.
Various Collaboration Models. The most popular collaboration model is hourly-based projects, especially in customer service. For translations, writing, and design, fixed-budget projects dominate.
Lawyers’ High Earnings. Freelancers in the legal field with extensive experience achieve the highest hourly rates, potentially reaching up to $150 per hour.
Differences Between Industries:
- Customer Service and Administrative Support: Offer the most job opportunities for beginning freelancers.
- IT and Computer Networks: Require more experience, with limited opportunities for newcomers.
- Law: Characterized by few applications but significant client interest.
Freelance Job Market – How to Navigate It? The average project application success rate in 2024 was 38%. The highest rate was observed in the translation industry. The number of applications per project dropped by 14%, most significantly in the writing sector.
Projects requiring more “connects” (points needed to apply for projects) are characterized by significantly higher budgets. “Connects” don’t always translate to higher hourly rates but impact the budget for projects with a fixed amount.
Do you think freelancing is the future of work? What are your experiences in this market? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Got something interesting?
If you have an article, podcast, or book that you think might interest me, let me know in a private message on LinkedIn!
Until next time,
Discover more from Wiktor Tkaczyk
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