Navigating Generative AI as an Older Worker

Imagine a doctor who is analyzing an X-ray scan. This doctor relies on their training, experience, and manual review of medical records, lab results, and imaging studies. Then, they synthesize this information based on their expertise to get to a diagnosis. This activity requires time to gather the patient data and analyze all the different data sources.

Now, imagine this hospital has a unique type of “medical assistant.” Instead of being trained through traditional means, this assistant has been fed a huge corpus of medical textbooks, journals, and case studies. With the X-ray scan and the patient medical history (provided by the doctor), it can instantly suggest a list of potential diagnoses, treatment suggestions, and even patient-specific considerations. The assistant can also flag subtle anomalies the human eye might miss or rare conditions that a doctor might not immediately consider.

In this example, the medical assistant is a generative AI tool: it draws on a vast database of medical literature to make recommendations. But generative AI technology can be applied in many fields to suggest new content, ideas, or solutions based on immense amounts of data. As such, it has the potential to revolutionize the professional landscape. McKinsey’s recent findings suggest that by 2030, 30% of tasks across the U.S. economy might be automated, up from 21% before generative AI.

What does this mean for those senior professionals who have dedicated decades to developing skills in a specific field?

A study from the impact of AI on the future of workforces in the European Union and U.S. explains that older workers are most exposed to AI, because AI performs tasks that belong to those jobs involving high levels of education and accumulated experience. What’s more, this new technology is promising but potentially intimidating, especially to those who have yet to work immersed in technology. Older generations tend not to jump into technological trends as much as younger ones. For example, adults under 30 who have heard of ChatGPT are far more likely than those 50 and older to have used the chatbot for entertainment (31% vs. 16%).

But senior professionals without tech skills can still navigate and excel in this AI-driven world. AI isn’t here to replace but to augment. You can use it to leverage your expertise, gain deeper insights, and offer a unique perspective that only years of experience can bring. AI might be powerful, but it cannot replicate or truly understand all the experience you have gained over years of firsthand encounters and interactions. Plus, modern AI systems tend to be user-friendly. Gone are the days when mastering intricate coding languages was a prerequisite. You can get hands-on new tools with the same ease as you use your smartphone.

Here are some suggestions for embracing and thriving in the age of generative AI, especially as an older worker.

Understand the Opportunity

Generative AI can suggest solutions faster than the most seasoned experts in various fields. How does it work? As the medical assistant that absorbed the information from medical textbooks, AI can now analyze the patterns in vast amounts of data (text, code, images, music, videos). This AI can then use those patterns to generate original content.

This ability is helpful in many professions. For example, generative AI can provide architects with new design suggestions based on parameters like plot size, orientation, and purpose. The architect can then adjust and perfect these plans. AI can suggest new clothing patterns, textiles, or ensemble designs based on trending styles, desired themes, or specific materials that fashion designers can then modify to make their own. It is also possible to generate initial campaign ideas, taglines, or even visuals, which marketers can fine-tune based on their target audience and brand message: marketing companies rely now on generative AI to boost its creative process, accelerate the transformation of advertising campaign development, creative generation, insights and recommendations. Graphic designers can save time getting initial design mock-ups. Take adobe Firefly: Creators can imagine and create so many more options in less time, while they choose what is best for their audience in the end. Scientists can predict experimental outcomes and unlock never-before-seen insights about the human brain. Writers and journalists can brainstorm around content suggestions — I just used ChatGPT to provide me with examples of professions affected by generative AI for this paragraph! (I then verified the entries.)

If you have been working for decades, you bring a unique perspective to work. Experience is precious for positions requiring complex decision-making. Pure algorithmic evaluations may overlook risks or recommendations that only experienced people can see, and they may not be equipped to handle sudden and drastic changes in the data, such as if catastrophe strikes. Your expertise allows you to provide contextual interpretations to the data. You know the business rules, strategy, ethics, and precedents to assess if the solution meets customer standards. AI cannot manage complex stakeholder relationships.

Your experience and unique perspectives are crucial. Make a list of all the strengths you bring to your role and think of the opportunities that it can bring to your career. Use the chance to use technology to free up your time and focus on the new identified opportunities. It takes experience to gain wisdom, and that is what you bring to the table.

Set Learning Goals

Now that you understand what AI — and you — can bring your work, now you can move forward with applying it to your position. Setting specific and achievable goals is the best way to understand how your position can evolve. Prioritize these four areas:

• Start with the fundamental knowledge. Grasp the basic concepts of AI, and the historical context. You can start with training as “AI for everyone” or look into the TED channel of AI to get inspiration of some of the videos.

• Learn from the everyday use cases in your industry. Understand how generative AI can influence business models, operations, and strategies in your field. Search online for keywords in your area (for example, “human resources and generative AI” or “finance and GAI”) to find and read the latest reports and publications.

• Look into technical and ethical limitations, safety, and security to learn what generative AI can not do, and any the ethical concerns, including data privacy, bias in AI, errors and hallucination, and the implications of generated content being mistaken for human-made content.

• Explore emerging trends and future applications of generative AI, preparing for what’s coming next.

The best way to learn is by incorporating your preferred learning method, such as reading articles, watching videos, listening to podcasts, completing trainings, and earning certifications, into your regular routine. Schedule dedicated time in your agenda each week to track your progress.

Practice Makes the Difference

The best way to understand the technology is to use it. According to the McKinsey Global Survey on the state of AI, exposure to generative AI tools is higher for younger generations: 51% of those born between 1981 and 1996 use it regularly, and 36% have used at least once. In contrast, only 44% of those born 1964 or earlier use it regularly, and 30% have used it at all. Only 14% of the youngest generation in the workplace had no exposure or did not know about generative AI. This number raises to 20% for those born in 1965-80, and to 27% for those born in 1964 or earlier.

It is also interesting to see that in any generation, there is a significant percentage that uses it regularly “outside of work” (24% in the younger generation, and 21% in the older generation). Finding opportunities outside of work is the best way to start practicing with generative AI. Be proactive and incorporate AI into your personal life and projects. This way, you will demystify the technology and allow yourself to learn, leading to more confidence in using it at work.

For example, I made myself familiar with image creation use cases by designing profile pictures of myself. I needed to hand in my picture for different events and had no recent version. I wanted to avoid looking for a professional photographer, making an appointment, dressing up, and going to a studio, so experimenting with AI was practical for me. I used two tools, secta.ai and Try it on AI, fed them with different selfies and photos, and got different results. I could see how generative AI was creative (it designed earrings that I liked and had never seen before, but all aligned with my style). I could laugh at some of the outputs that did not look like me or see how generative AI sometimes has hallucinations (including three arms). I could see how, in the end, 10% of the results were good enough for me to use with confidence.

Search Google for new AI-powered tools to help with daily tasks, hobbies, and interests. Creative types can use DALL-E to generate unique artwork, while those interested in home decor can use visualization tools to plan layouts and predict potential pest issues based on local data. AI-powered apps can help generate personalized workout routines based on individual capabilities. Are you preparing for your next trip? Use planners to generate itineraries based on your preferences. There are AI tools that help you with clothing combinations based on weather, occasion, and personal wardrobe, and even those that can help you come up with new recipes, based on ingredients in your kitchen.

Finally, interact with AI Chatbots. Open ChatGPT and use this kind of prompts:

• Prompt: “Summarize the following article for me: [text of article]” to quickly grasp the main points of an article.

• Prompt: “Generate a list of pros and cons for [decision or topic]” to get a balanced view of a matter.

• Prompt: “Can you help me brainstorm ideas for [topic or project]?” to get suggestions and generate ideas.

• Prompt: “Simulate a conversation between [Person A] and [Person B] about [topic]” to explore a topic, especially when considering different perspectives or viewpoints.

• Prompt: “Describe the cultural significance of [event or tradition] in [specific country or region]” to enhance cultural understanding and awareness.

• Prompt: “What are common misconceptions about [topic]?” to debunk myths.

As you to assess how this technology works, use these prompts to review something you know a lot about or to challenge beliefs. For example, I asked a prompt to simulate a conversation on opposing ideas on the Basque conflict I lived in when I grew up, or the problems with diversity in technology. I could see the output lacked so many insights that I have. When you use generative AI at work, it will be the same: There will be valid points, but only with your experience you will get the whole picture. You will also see that it may even make up statements, because it is generating a response “highly likely” to appear correct, but it may not.

Before you use any tool, you should look at their privacy policy (for example, this is one that I read before I uploaded my pictures). This way I could confirm that personal information is not going to be stored, or used without consent. You should specially be careful with the free applications, as it may mean that you pay with your own sensitive data and lose control of it.

Leverage Your Network

Learning from different perspectives will accelerate your understanding of what is possible with technology. Use your network to challenge yourself, learn faster, and discuss new points of view. This way you can be updated with the latest use cases and innovations.

Start in your workplace. Mentorship provides a valuable networking opportunity to build relationships with younger colleagues. Pairing yourself with junior colleagues fosters mutual learning; younger workers can show you technical skills while you share your industry knowledge and experience.

Another way to network is by contacting your former colleagues. Catching up with those you used to work with on how generative AI is changing their work is always insightful, as they may be approaching it differently or in other ways in their organizations. It would also be an excellent time to engage with alumni networks if you have the opportunity or check out the university if lectures are open to the public.

You should also reach out to external professional networks to get to know new people. Participate in events such as industry conferences where you live and connect with people in your field. Or consider a virtual approach. You can join LinkedIn Groups, engage in discussions, share articles, and connect with others.

This is a time of new opportunities. Generative AI has come as your new virtual assistant, which will help you enhance your skills and achieve outcomes you never thought possible. As an older worker, your wealth of experience, coupled with the power of generative AI, make an unbeatable team. It is still early days for generative AI: If you understand the opportunity, its limitations, and get upskilled in your field, you can still be a pioneer. The future belongs to lifelong learners. Now is the perfect moment to embrace the next chapter of your career.

Copyright 2023 Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate.

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