ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A Roanoke-based AI strategy consultant says up to 35% of jobs in Virginia could be affected by artificial intelligence and is training business leaders around the world on how to stay ahead of it.
Lynda Foster, founder of Cortex Leadership Consulting, practices out of CoLab in Roanoke. Her company provides AI strategy training to business leaders, focusing on using AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement.
“AI will guide you”
Foster said workers who aren’t intentional about how they interact with AI risk losing control of the technology.
“Well, if you’re not careful, the AI will guide you; you won’t guide the AI,” Foster said. “Let’s get into the habit of learning.”
Virginia jobs at risk
According to Foster’s research, up to 35% of all jobs in Virginia could be impacted by AI. He said the professional services, information and administration sectors are facing the greatest impact.
Foster said employees can gain an advantage by identifying their strengths and learning how AI can support them.
“I think AI can really augment good human work. So if someone is really good at what they do, AI can advance that,” Foster said.
human factor
To avoid what Foster calls “AI slop,” AI-assisted work must retain its humanity, he said, noting that human experience and perspective cannot be replicated by AI.
Foster said that as AI becomes more present in the workplace, employees need to ask themselves important questions.
“What’s really important is to do it. What did I learn? What is my skill set? How does that translate to new-age work? Well, you know the best way to find out? When it comes to AI, AI knows best,” Foster said.
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