It is indisputable that we have all entered the “age of AI” – a quickly evolving world characterised by both excitement and uncertainty around how artificial intelligence is transforming how we work. As a professional, it is essential to adapt to this changing world and develop the ability to respond to both the opportunities and the challenges presented by AI.

What does the “age of AI” mean for business?

Although AI adoption is a worldwide phenomenon, it is particularly relevant for Africa’s fastest-growing economy. In 2020, Nigeria was one of the first countries in Africa to establish a government agency to oversee the boom in AI adoption, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Since then, six more agencies have been established to advance and regulate the use of AI. This is a strong indication of how seriously the government takes the impact of AI across the economy.

While AI technology is advancing every day, we can make a few solid predictions and assumptions about which areas of business are (and are likely to continue to be) the most affected.

Operational efficiency

Integrating AI into operational systems reduces errors, assists with predicting disruptions, and raises the overall efficiency of logistics, scheduling, quality assurance, and supply chain management.

Marketing analytics

There are many roles for AI in the marketing function; through social listening techniques, AI collects and sorts through vast amounts of customer data on social media or other digital channels, analysing trends and highlighting new target markets.

Customer service

With the power of AI, customer service can become more personalised and efficient, as customers don’t need to wait for hours to talk to someone over the phone when they have a problem. Chatbots and automated workflows can direct customers to the quickest path to find a resolution.

Talent acquisition 

Interviews, hiring, and finding the best fit for a role is also being transformed by AI. Previously an entirely people-centric function, AI has made hiring more impartial, with a wider net cast for applicants. AI rapidly sorts resumes, conducts assessments and interviews, and shortlists the best candidates for manual review.

Strategic decision making

Big Data, machine learning, and predictive and prescriptive analytics are critical AI-driven tools for managers and leaders across all levels of business. With instant access to actionable insights, problems are solved upon identification, and solutions are optimised, trimming inefficiencies.

Business intelligence

Along with access to more and more complex data, businesses are using AI to respond to or predict risks, like data breaches or customer fraud, as well as gather actionable insights about competitors, industry disruptions, and economic shifts.

As you can gather from the range of business areas impacted by AI (and these are just the main areas, not a full list!) it is clear that the way we work is likely already being significantly shaped by AI. Embracing these changes and adapting your job function and business skills accordingly is essential to thriving in today’s competitive job market.

Which skills and attributes should professionals develop to thrive in the age of AI?

In this climate, you shouldn’t consider upskilling as a matter of safeguarding your value and role or reacting to a threat, but rather as a strategic move to unlock boundless opportunities. The advance of AI technology is a fact; by embracing these changes and seizing new opportunities, you can supercharge your career trajectory and reach even greater heights.

We’ve distilled a list of the ten most essential professional skills that Nigerians need to nurture to thrive in the age of AI.

1. Adaptability

The ability to adjust to new conditions, changes, and challenges, often without much advance notice, is arguably the most critical skill to cultivate in the age of AI. It can also be the most challenging skill to master, as it requires nothing short of a paradigm shift. Embracing and seeking out ways to change and improve processes is the key to adaptability, which means letting go of comfortable familiarity when better options become available.

With an adaptable workforce, businesses can pivot quickly to respond to disruptions, taking advantage of opportunities rather than being reluctantly swept along. Leaders of tomorrow understand the need to motivate their teams to embrace new ideas, rapidly adopt new software and technology, and continuously seek ways to enhance their ways of work. Whatever your professional role, years of experience, or job level, learning to be adaptable and inspiring others to do the same is an essential skill to master in the age of AI.

2. Critical thinking

Next on our list of invaluable skills is critical thinking. Rather than passively accepting information at face value, critical thinkers carefully examine the components and implications of underlying data, drawing rational conclusions and making independent, informed decisions backed up by logic and evidence.

While AI excels at collecting, compiling, and even analysing vast amounts of data, it is still a machine that fails to understand nuance. Professionals working with AI need critical thinking to evaluate the relevance of data and communicate with AI-enabled systems about how to use or process the data.

3. Creativity

Creativity remains a uniquely human skill that complements the capabilities of artificial intelligence. Creativity is essential for tasks that require a novel artistic or expressive approach, but this is not the only area in which human creativity still trumps AI.

Since AI systems operate within predefined parameters and algorithms, there are limits to how innovative AI can be in generating new ideas, especially when these concern human-centric systems. Creativity enables humans to adapt and think outside the boundaries, which allows us to thrive in situations where unexpected challenges arise or when confronting ambiguous challenges.

4. Data literacy

In today’s digital age, vast amounts of data are generated at an unprecedented pace. AI algorithms can uncover patterns, correlations, and anomalies within complex datasets that may not be immediately apparent to human observers, but interpreting these insights requires a nuanced (human) understanding of the underlying context and domain-specific knowledge. This used to be the territory of data analysts and data scientists, but that’s no longer the case. While data scientists still perform vital functions, professionals in many other roles are increasingly finding value in raising their level of data literacy.

With decision-making across all areas of business becoming data-driven, professionals with the ability to understand and interpret trends in data, and communicate these insights effectively to stakeholders, are in high demand.

5. Coding and technical skills

While technology has advanced to the point that you don’t need a programmer to use AI effectively, it is still true that a bit of basic coding knowledge can be quite useful. A fundamental understanding of how a system, algorithm, or programme works unlocks the ability to engage more successfully with AI systems. For non-technical roles, a basic understanding of the technology used means you can collaborate more closely with technical teams, and contribute to problem-solving and development of AI-driven solutions.

6. Decision-making

Despite its capabilities, AI still requires human oversight to ensure effectiveness, fairness, and reliability. Decision-makers play a crucial role in setting policies, guidelines, and standards for the development and deployment of AI technologies. They also have a responsibility to monitor AI systems, evaluate their performance, and intervene when necessary to address issues or biases that may arise.

Professionals skilled in decision-making can effectively analyse AI-generated insights, weigh various factors, and make informed judgments about the best course of action. While AI can assist in analysing market trends, competitor data, and customer preferences, human decision-makers are needed to interpret this information in the context of broader organisational objectives and make strategic decisions that drive long-term success. It is also true that AI technologies raise complex ethical dilemmas related to privacy, bias, fairness, and accountability. Decision-makers must navigate these ethical considerations when deploying AI systems and interpreting their outputs. Ethical decision-making skills are crucial for ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly and in ways that align with societal values and norms.

7. Emotional intelligence

The ability to understand and manage emotions, as well as empathise with others, is essential in collaborative environments where AI interacts with human colleagues. AI systems lack emotional intelligence and empathy, making it challenging for them to understand human emotions, motivations, and needs. In contexts where empathy is crucial, such as counselling, coaching, or conflict resolution, professionals with high emotional intelligence can connect with others on a deeper level, providing support, guidance, and reassurance that AI alone cannot replicate.

In customer-facing roles, emotional intelligence is critical for delivering exceptional service and building customer loyalty. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can handle routine inquiries efficiently, but when customers require empathy, understanding, and emotional support, human interaction becomes indispensable. As AI technologies continue to evolve, emotional intelligence will remain a critical skill for enhancing human-AI interactions, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that technological progress is aligned with human values and needs.

8. Continuous learning

Given the rapid pace of AI advancement, a commitment to lifelong learning is essential for staying updated on emerging technologies and trends. Professionals who can recognise their strengths and weaknesses, seek feedback, and continuously improve their skills are assets to the business, and stand out among their peers. As AI technology reshapes job roles and skill requirements, professionals need to acquire proficiency in new tools, programming languages, or methodologies relevant to AI development such as data analysis or machine learning. It is important for professionals to seek out continuous learning programs to become indispensable to employers and in high demand in the job market.

9. Problem-solving

AI algorithms are trained on existing data and patterns, which may limit their ability to identify truly novel or innovative solutions to complex problems. Problem-solving skills equip professionals to think outside the box, explore alternative approaches, and generate creative solutions that may not be apparent from data analysis alone. These skills also enable professionals to customise and adapt AI technologies to suit specific needs or requirements.

As AI technologies evolve and new challenges arise, professionals must adapt their problem-solving approaches, acquire new skills, and stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices. Problem-solving skills empower professionals to navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and drive continuous improvement in the age of AI.

10. Leadership

Last on our list, but by no means the least important: strong leadership skills are essential in the age of AI for guiding teams through the changes and challenges of AI implementation.

Managers and team leaders responsible for driving organisational change need to hone their leadership skills if they wish to be successful, to face the challenges and changes that come with advances in AI. Leaders must focus on building confidence and learning how to make data-driven decisions, address complex ethical considerations, direct business strategy, and hire and develop talent on their teams.

Professionals who cultivate leadership skills can play a crucial role in maximising the collective intelligence and creativity of their teams, leading their peers with resilience through changes and disruptions.

Are you ready for the age of AI?

The age of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for professionals regardless of industry, role or experience level. By cultivating these essential skills, professionals can not only adapt to the changing landscape but also thrive in a world where human-machine collaboration is increasingly prevalent. Embracing lifelong learning and fostering a growth mindset will be key to success in the exciting era of AI innovation.