Preparing Your Workforce for the AI Era: What to Do First

As a business leader, you’re facing a unique challenge: building a workforce that can take advantage of AI while keeping your organization competitive.

With AI transforming industries from healthcare to manufacturing, the real question is how to ensure your team has the skills needed to succeed. How can you develop these essential capabilities? And how do you create a workforce ready to fully embrace AI’s potential? Let’s start here:

What Your Workforce Needs for the New Reality of AI

According to MBO’s research on AI, independent talent consistently reports that using AI boosts their productivity and saves them time, with most seeing improvements in the 15%–30% range.

Your workforce, including full-time employees and independent contractors, is likely already working alongside AI tools, from machine learning algorithms to automated processes. But to make the most of these tools, you need a team that understands how to use AI strategically and effectively.

Below, we recommend five specific areas to focus on as you develop your team’s AI capabilities.

Build Data Literacy Across Your Organization

Your AI systems are only as good as the people who can understand their results. While data scientists and analysts are important, it’s essential for everyone in your organization to have a basic understanding of data.

One thing you can do is to create training programs that help employees at all levels work with data. This way, everyone, no matter their role, can understand and use data effectively.

If your teams can turn complex data into clear strategies, they’ll get the most out of your AI investments, leading to better business results.

Develop AI Expertise Strategically

You don’t need everyone to be an AI expert, but you do need a core team that deeply understands these technologies. The next step is to identify which roles need advanced AI knowledge and which need only a working understanding of AI capabilities.

Next, create clear pathways for growing AI expertise within your organization. We’ve found that developing talent internally or collaborating with independent experts is often more effective than trying to hire all the expertise you need.

To make this happen, you can build internal training programs, partner with educational institutions, or bring in experts to upskill your current team. Investing in your team’s development will help ensure they have the skills needed to maximize AI’s potential.

Check Out: How to Create a Successful AI Implementation Plan in Your Organization

Emphasize Creative Problem-Solving

AI is great at organizing data and handling repetitive tasks, but it’s your team that shines when it comes to coming up with creative solutions and solving difficult problems.

Encourage your team to use AI as a helpful tool, but remind them that their human skills—like creativity, critical thinking, and industry knowledge—are what truly set your company apart. Also, be sure to provide plenty of opportunities for collaboration across departments, combining everyone’s unique skills and perspectives.

This teamwork, powered by AI, can lead to innovative solutions that AI alone can’t deliver.

Prioritize Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence

As AI takes over more routine tasks, your workforce needs to focus on skills that only humans can do. You’ll need to develop leaders who can guide teams through technological changes and employees who can manage complex relationships.

Consider investing in training that builds emotional intelligence, communication, and change management skills. These abilities are especially important as teams adjust to working with AI and need to stay connected despite technological shifts.

Growing these skills will help your team work well together, even as technology continues to change how we work.

Establish Strong AI Ethics and Internal Policies

Your organization needs clear guidelines for using AI responsibly. This means having a team that understands both the technology and the larger issues, such as privacy, bias, and fairness.

Start by making sure that your legal and operations teams are well-versed in AI ethics and compliance. Then, set up straightforward processes to review AI systems and their impact regularly.

Taking these steps now will help prevent future issues and build trust with both your team and clients.

Discover: Tips on Encouraging Your Workforce to Use Gen AI

MBO Partners Helps You Build Your Workforce for the Future

Looking for more news and insights on today’s workforce needs? MBO Partners provides a wide range of tools and resources on AI, workforce compliance, and more.