March Newsletter: Should You Be Afraid of AI?

Remember when data was stored on-premise and backed up by tape recorders only 20 years ago? Movement to cloud storage cost a lot of people jobs back then, but it also created immediate need for cloud, data, and cybersecurity engineers while also putting emphasis on employees in all functional areas to adapt to the new environment.

Since then most business applications have moved to virtual environments that may operate similarly to their desktop predecessors but may look and feel different. It would seem obvious to most of us that a candidate who was awesome using a desktop version on an online tool would be a slam dunk choice.

Sadly, I didn’t see this play out so well when those brilliant performers were pitted against less talented competitors who could claim using the current cloud version of that tool recently. This is not an indictment of a worker’s skills as it is that employers value shorter onboarding times when positions have been open for a while.

This leaves job seekers with two choices: commit to networking as a way to get to the hiring manager before competitors with more recent skills or stay current with the most recent tools to begin with. Obviously doing both of these things is ideal.

The Rise of AI

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving profound changes in the workplace. While this can feel intimidating, it also creates tremendous opportunities for those who are prepared. Competing in an AI-driven job market isn’t about going head-to-head with machines, it’s about amplifying your human strengths and adapting to the new tools and processes AI brings to the table.

One key to thriving in this evolving landscape is knowing how to use AI to your advantage, even if you’re not a technical expert. The jobs lifecycle for any new technology begins with engineers to build it, then consultants to teach it, and last to the non-technical folks who have to use it. Most of us are going to use it, so we may as well embrace it now.

Identify the Skills You Need

Let’s explore how non-technical professionals can harness AI tools across various functional areas (note that these are suggestions…to find the AI skills most in demand in your field is to simply run a job search and see what they ask for):

Sales

What to learn: tools like HubSpot or Salesforce for lead scoring and sales prioritization. Drift chatbots can handle customer queries, while Gong.io analyzes sales calls for insights.

Where to learn: To learn these skills you can start with HubSpot Academy (free certifications), Trailhead by Salesforce for guided training, and Gong.io webinars for practical knowledge.

Marketing

What to learn: target ads more effectively with Google Ads or Meta Ads Manager. Draft content using ChatGPT or Copy.ai and analyze campaign performance with SEMRush or Marketo Engage.

Where to learn: Look for free courses on Google Skillshop and Meta Blueprint, or explore Coursera for AI marketing analytics.

Operations

What to learn: optimize supply chain management using IBM Watson Supply Chain. Automate workflows with Zapier or Microsoft Power Automate. Use Tableau for data visualization.

Where to learn: Check out IBM Watson Academy for supply chain tutorials, Zapier Blog for automation tips, and Tableau eLearning for dashboard creation.

Customer Service

What to learn: Companies deploy Zendesk AI chatbots for efficient customer query resolution. Analyze feedback with Medallia. Use tools like Freshdesk or Intercom AI to automate ticket routing.

Where to learn: Check out Zendesk Customer Academy, Medallia guides, and Freshdesk Academy for hands-on learning.

Human Resources

What to learn: Screen resumes with LinkedIn Talent Hub or HireVue. Automate scheduling using Calendly AI. Predict workforce needs with BambooHR or Peakon.

Where to Learn: Leverage LinkedIn Learning, HireVue Blog, and Workday Education for specialized HR training.

Finance

What to learn: Simplify expense management with QuickBooks or Expensify AI. Monitor fraud detection using SAS Fraud Management. Use tools like Tesorio for AI-driven forecasting.

 Where to Learn: Explore QuickBooks Training, Riskified Knowledge Hub, and platforms like Coursera for finance-specific AI applications.

Build Relevant Skills

Whether you’re using AI tools for marketing or HR, continuous upskilling is key. Many tools offer beginner-friendly interfaces and free resources for non-technical users. If your current employer uses these tools, you may be able to access fee-based courses for free. Embrace platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and edX to learn at your own pace.

Focus on Human Strengths

AI may handle repetitive tasks, but humans excel in creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Highlight these qualities in your work and ensure they are reflected in your professional narrative.

Develop a Forward-Thinking Network

Staying ahead in an AI-driven world means surrounding yourself with individuals and communities that are embracing these technologies. Build relationships with peers and mentors who are actively exploring the intersection of AI and your industry.

Embracing AI: The Path Forward

In today’s workforce, the goal isn’t to outcompete AI but to collaborate with it. Mastering tools, adapting to change, and capitalizing on uniquely human qualities are the keys to success. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, HR, or any other field, learning to partner with AI will set you apart in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Employment by the Numbers

AI is coming. We can either try to resist everything to do with it or we can jump on the wagon. AI was not much more than a rumor a few years ago. Now the need for talent has moved beyond developers into consultants who will then equip their client companies’ employees with the latest and greatest AI tools available.  

Key Points:

• While GenAI terms appear in only about three in every 1,000 job postings, they are growing rapidly. 

• The share of US job postings mentioning GenAI or related terms has skyrocketed over the past year, up 170% from January 2024 to January 2025. 

• Software development, data science, and related roles dominate GenAI job postings. 

• However, over the past year, AI language has surged in postings for management consulting roles, which now account for 12.4% of GenAI job postings, reflecting a growing focus on AI implementation in the consulting sector.

There is simply no excuse for not learning to use some form of AI

Unlike the move to the cloud in the early 2000s or the migration to software as a service soon after, artificial intelligence is available to everyone for free every day. ChatGPT remains the industry leader and can be downloaded, while Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot are almost impossible to avoid even with everyday use.

I am not the most savvy tech guy in the world, but I can say that I use AI every day now in some form. I decide on topics to cover by asking Copilot to share what is on people’s minds in the moment regarding jobs and careers. For this article, I asked it to find the AI tools used by various functional areas and where training could be found to gain those skills.

On the flipside, I don’t take anything AI tells me to the bank. I recheck numbers and validate links. I do need to write my own content around what I am given by my Copilot so that my newsletters are done using my voice. It has taken time but I have become better and better and learning how to direct the tool to produce tighter results.

And it is a game changer when it comes to figuring how long to cook a steak on a gas grille. 

AI is not the only cause of anxiety for professionals these days. For more on that, check out my March blog post.