AI is becoming part of everyday professional life, whether you’re writing emails, conducting research, troubleshooting an Excel issue, or anything in between. As AI becomes more common in the workplace, many companies are seeking candidates who know how to use these tools effectively. You certainly don’t have to be an AI expert, but developing a few practical skills can help you stand out during your next job search. Here are five AI skills that are worthwhile to learn:
- Learn How to Write Effective Prompts: When using AI, knowing how to write an effective prompt is one of the most important skills you can develop. A strong prompt provides relevant context, gives clear instructions, and specifies the type of output you’re looking for. Better prompts typically lead to better results. For more complex tasks, it can also help to work with AI one step at a time. Make sure the first piece of the foundation is strong before moving on to the next step. It might take some back and forth to refine your prompts and ultimately reach your desired result. This is normal!
- Proofread, Review, and Fact-Check Outputs: Once you receive an output from the AI tool you’re using, always take some time to review it carefully. AI can be helpful, but it isn’t always accurate, so don’t assume that every response is ready to use as-is. Proofread the results for errors, inconsistencies, or information that doesn’t quite make sense. If you’re presenting the information to others or using it to help you make an important decision, verify key facts using other reliable sources as well.
- Identify Good AI Use Cases: Like any other tool in your toolbox, AI has certain tasks that suit it particularly well. It can be helpful for repetitive administrative work, brainstorming, initial research, summarizing information, or troubleshooting certain technical problems. Just as importantly, though, knowing when not to rely on AI is a valuable skill. Tasks and projects that require significant human judgment, involve sensitive or confidential information, or depend heavily on personal knowledge and context may not be the best fit for AI. Before incorporating AI, consider whether it can genuinely make the task at hand more efficient or effective.
- Use AI Responsibly and Securely: Closely related to identifying appropriate use cases is knowing how to use AI responsibly and securely. Before entering sensitive information (ex. financial details, health data, personal information, or confidential workplace materials), consider whether that information is appropriate and safe to share with an AI tool. When using AI at work, familiarize yourself with your employer’s policies and use approved tools when required. Being thoughtful about what information you share, where you share it, and how the resulting output will be used is an important part of using AI responsibly.
- Stay Adaptable as AI Evolves: With AI tools and capabilities continuing to evolve, being willing to learn and adapt is an important skill. You don’t need to keep up with every new AI development, but staying familiar with tools and features relevant to your work can help you identify new use cases and become more effective at using AI over time. As more companies incorporate AI into their day-to-day operations, demonstrating that you’re comfortable learning new technologies and adapting alongside them can also be a valuable skill to highlight during your job search and interviews.
Even if you don’t use AI in your personal life, knowing how to use it effectively is becoming increasingly valuable professionally. These five skills can help you become more confident and productive in the workplace, and they can give you something valuable to demonstrate to prospective employers as AI becomes a larger part of how many organizations operate.