The robots are coming! Preparing for the future of work.

 The robots are coming! Preparing for the future of work.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, data grows and so does the demand for skilled workers who are able to work with data and analytics.  With the continued evolution of AI and other advanced technologies, it is clear that data literacy will be an essential skill for workers across all industries. In this article, we will explore the importance of data literacy in the digital age and the specific skills that will be required for working with AI in the future.

Data literacy is the ability to read, analyze, and interpret data, and it is becoming increasingly important as more jobs become data-driven. According to a report by Qlik, data literacy will be the most sought-after skill by 2030, with 63% of organizations planning to invest in data literacy training in the coming years. This is because data literacy is critical for making informed decisions and driving business success.

One of the key skills required for working with AI in a digital world is critical thinking. With the vast amounts of data that are available today, it is essential to be able to evaluate and analyze data to determine what is relevant and useful. Critical thinking involves the ability to analyze data objectively and to identify patterns and trends that can be used to inform decisions. This skill will be essential for working with AI, as it will require the ability to evaluate the quality and accuracy of data.

Another important skill for working with AI is problem-solving. As AI becomes more prevalent in the workplace, it will be essential to be able to identify and solve complex problems that arise. Problem-solving involves the ability to analyze data, identify potential solutions, and implement effective strategies to address problems. This skill will be particularly important for data scientists and other professionals who work with large datasets and complex systems.

In addition to critical thinking and problem-solving, creativity will also be an essential skill for working with AI in the future. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it will be essential to be able to think creatively about how to use data to solve problems and drive business success. Creativity involves the ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions, and it will be essential for developing new applications for AI and other advanced technologies.

Data storytelling is another  critical skill that is becoming increasingly important in the age of AI. It involves the ability to communicate complex data insights in a way that is understandable, in context and engaging to a non-technical audience. This is important because as more and more jobs become data-driven, employees will need to be able to communicate data insights to others within their organization in order to drive decision-making.

While there are many skills that will be required for working with AI, there are also some skills that are likely to be replaced in the future. One of these skills is manual data entry. As AI becomes more advanced, it will be able to automate many tasks that are currently performed by humans, including data entry. This means that workers who are primarily responsible for data entry may find that their jobs are at risk of being replaced by AI in the future.

Another skill that may be replaced by AI is basic data analysis. While AI will not replace the need for skilled data analysts and scientists, it will be able to automate many basic data analysis tasks, such as identifying patterns and trends in data. This means that workers who are primarily responsible for basic data analysis may need to develop new skills or specialize in more advanced data analysis tasks to remain competitive in the job market.

To prepare for the future of work in a digital world, it is essential to focus on developing the skills that will be most in demand. This includes data literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It also means being open to learning new skills and technologies, as the workplace continues to evolve and change.

There are many resources available for those who are interested in developing their data literacy skills. Online courses, workshops, and formal Data Literacy training programs like the one offed by iOCO are available.  Many organizations are investing in data literacy training for their employees and it is also important to practice working with data in your current role, and to seek out opportunities to develop your skills on the job.