Quick Summary of the Key Points
This analysis breaks down the latest insights from Andrew Ng, a leading expert in the field of AI: The vast majority of people are still using AI at a basic level—asking questions, creating PPTs, and generating content—and are not fully leveraging its true potential. In the future, all professionals should not just act as “questioners” of AI but should become “Builders” who can use AI to create their own tools. You don’t need to become a professional programmer; as long as you can use AI to solve small, everyday problems at work and create custom tools, you can transform skills that were previously the domain of programmers into general workplace competencies. With this trend, the criteria for evaluating and competing in the workplace will completely change: AI won’t directly replace certain jobs, but it will quickly widen the gap in capabilities between individuals. Those who use AI to expand their skill sets will be able to handle the workload of several people and become highly sought-after in the job market.
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Detailed Explanation
1. Using ChatGPT to write content or create PPTs is no longer a competitive advantage in the workplace
Many people still see proficiency in AI as a special bonus and highlight it in their resumes or during interviews. However, this skill is as common now as knowing how to use the Office suite was 10 years ago. Companies no longer ask if you can use AI; instead, they ask what you have actually done with it. If you can show that you’ve created a tool that automatically organizes job listings or a desktop app that collects industry data, that’s much more impressive than claiming to be proficient in 10 AI tools. The barrier to using AI is so low that almost anyone can do it, so such skills won’t help you stand out.
2. The widespread adoption of AI is the second major equalizing factor in the workplace, after Excel
The impact of AI on everyday tasks is similar to that of Excel when it first emerged 30 years ago. In the 1970s and 1980s, companies had to rely on professional programmers for data analysis and report generation. Now, with AI, finance, marketing, and sales staff can perform these tasks easily. The same is happening with coding: instead of waiting for programmers to create small, trivial tools, you can use AI to develop tools that fit your work needs. You don’t need to explain your requirements in detail; AI can help you quickly solve problems that used to take time and effort.
3. The so-called “high initiative” required by companies actually means “using AI to solve problems without waiting for instructions”
Many job descriptions now mention “high initiative.” This doesn’t mean working more hours; it means being proactive and using AI to create tools on your own. For example, a member of Ng’s team created an app to automatically collect and organize materials, and a finance team developed a program to automatically check data. These individuals identified their own needs and used AI to solve them, demonstrating the kind of efficiency that companies are looking for.
4. Don’t worry about AI taking your job; those who know how to use AI will outperform you
There’s been a lot of debate about whether AI will replace certain jobs, but the reality is different. Only 30%-40% of jobs involve repetitive, mechanical tasks that can be automated. The remaining 60%-70% require judgment, creativity, and communication skills, which AI can’t replace. What’s changing is the role of individuals within the same job. For example, one person using AI can handle the work of two or three developers, so companies will keep that person. It’s not AI taking their jobs but the person who uses AI to expand their capabilities.
5.普通人 don’t need to learn programming; start by solving your own problems
You don’t need to know programming to become a Builder. Start with the smallest, most annoying tasks in your daily work. For instance, if you’re an administrative worker, use AI to automate invoice entry; if you’re an HR professional, use AI to organize resumes. Even if you’re a salesperson, use AI to create customized follow-up messages. These tools don’t need to be perfect or for the whole company; even if you use them just for yourself, you’ll be ahead of those who rely on basic AI skills. The key to competitiveness in the AI era is your ability to identify problems and create solutions.
In summary, the core competitiveness in the AI era is not about knowing how to use AI but about being proactive and creative. By using AI to solve problems, you’ll be better prepared for the future of the workplace.