Artificial intelligence is becoming more prevalent in the workplace, and critical thinking skills are key to successfully leveraging this technology to improve work and limit its negative impacts.
AI is a powerful tool, but results need to be questioned and validated by humans within the organization, said Justin Reinert, SHRM-SCP, corporate trainer and principal in Performance Accelerated Learning, on April 15. I spoke at SHRM Talent Conference & Expo 2024. (Talent 2024).
“AI provides an opportunity and imperative to strengthen critical thinking skills in the workplace, as some responsibilities shift from producers to verifiers,” he said.
Critical thinking is the practice of analysis to gain a thorough understanding of an issue or topic. Critical thinking typically involves steps such as gathering information and data, asking thoughtful questions, and analyzing possible solutions.
This important skill is even more necessary in the age of AI. This is because the technology remains susceptible to negative consequences, including the potential to fabricate or “hallucinate” information, produce biased results, and demonstrate gaps in reasoning.
Recent notable mistakes include:
“The use of AI in the workplace is growing and rapidly evolving, and an individual's ability to discern fact from AI hallucinations is becoming increasingly difficult,” Reinert said. “Without deep critical thinking skills, we face the risk of embedding falsehoods in the workplace and in our interactions with consumers. Educators in the corporate world have a responsibility to foster this in their employees. ”
He added that there are two paths forward. The path of automation and the path of new human capabilities.
“Typically, as technology advances, we use it to automate processes and make things faster and more efficient,” he said. “But there is another path to keep in mind when leveraging AI into our work: identify what is uniquely human, make sure to develop those skills in people, and automate what can be automated. Always keep humans in mind.”
Of course, to effectively use, train, and improve AI, those involved must themselves have strong critical thinking skills.
5 critical thinking skills and how to develop them
Reinert listed the following critical thinking skills and what employers can do to build these abilities in their employees.
1. observation, or the ability to notice and anticipate opportunities, problems, and solutions. Organizations can practice scenario and risk planning, exposing teams to different possibilities, mindfulness training to improve focus, and competitive intelligence exercises.
2. analysis, or the collection, understanding, or interpretation of data or other information. This can be practiced through data analysis training, data interpretation workshops, and data reviews.
3. inferenceor draw conclusions based on relevant data, information, personal knowledge and experience. This skill can be developed through case study analysis related to specific job functions, critical reading and discussion assignments, and mind-mapping exercises to identify connections between disparate information.
Four. communication, or share and receive information verbally, nonverbally, or in writing with others. Organizations can practice this skill through role-playing scenarios, public speaking opportunities, and by holding feedback sessions and peer reviews.
Five. problem solving, or identify and analyze a problem, then select and implement a solution. Problem solving can be developed through root cause analysis drills that find the root cause of the problem. Evaluate potential solutions based on feasibility, impact, and cost based on a decision matrix. and through simulation exercises that mimic real-world challenges.
