AI & Job Responsibilities

I recognize that generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are changing how we work, especially entry-level work. How do we want that change to look? Businesses can eliminate jobs, change jobs, start to work on harder problems, or do a combination of things. Long-term, I think aspects of many (if not most) jobs will have a "Human-in-the-Loop" dimension, where we direct and evaluate the work of the AI agent, which will in turn improve the work of the AI agent.

This new role as architect of AI tools makes critical thinking skills even more important. The increased importance of critical thinking, arguably, makes work-based learning models even more relevant. Why? Because while in practice an entry-level role may be automated by AI, people just entering the field still need to learn the substance of that work (even if routine) to better be able to guide the AI tools. Learning the substance is essential because workers usually develop some of their critical thinking and assessment skills while doing entry-level work and learning how the pieces fit together.

In my time leading studies on the topic, I have learned that partnering with businesses to create these opportunities is an ongoing effort and worker advancement depends on a variety of factors. Moreover, designers of work-based learning opportunities could ask: How, if at all, should the AI dimension be incorporated into the lessons?