Aha moments, the 'first ten hours', and other pro tips from business leaders building AI-ready workforces | Fortune

Business Leaders Share Pro Tips for Building AI-Ready Workforces At the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Park City, Utah, business leaders gathered to discuss the challenges of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. The consensus among them was that traditional methods for assessing employee skills and performance are being upended by the rapid adoption of AI. According to Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork, an online jobs marketplace for freelancers, there has been a significant shift in what employers value most in employees. "For the first time this summer on our platform, we saw a shift," Brown said. "Technical skills are becoming less important." This trend is echoed by Kathy Pham, Vice President of AI at Workday, who emphasized that "Aha moments" – moments when employees have an epiphany about how to apply AI in their work – are crucial for successful implementation. Pham noted that these moments often occur within the first 10 hours of introducing AI tools. Toni Vanwinkle, Vice President of Digital Employee Experience at Adobe, added that employers must prioritize developing a workforce that can adapt quickly to new technologies. "We need to focus on building skills that are more relevant in an AI-driven world," Vanwinkle said. The shift away from technical skills is driven by the increasing availability of AI tools and platforms that automate many tasks. As Jim Rowan, head of AI at Deloitte, pointed out, employers now have access to a wide range of pre-built AI solutions that can be easily integrated into their operations. This trend has significant implications for society as a whole. As AI continues to transform the workforce, it is likely to exacerbate existing inequalities and create new ones. Employers must prioritize developing skills that are transferable across industries and sectors, rather than focusing solely on technical expertise. The Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference provided a platform for business leaders to share their experiences and insights on building AI-ready workforces. The consensus among them was clear: employers must adapt quickly to the changing landscape of work or risk being left behind. Background The adoption of AI in the workplace is accelerating rapidly, with many employers struggling to keep pace. According to a recent survey by Gartner, 37% of organizations plan to implement AI within the next two years, while 22% are already using AI in some capacity. Additional Perspectives Industry experts agree that the shift away from technical skills is a necessary adaptation for the modern workforce. "AI is not just about technology; it's about people," said Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab. "Employers must prioritize developing skills that are relevant in an AI-driven world." Current Status and Next Developments As employers continue to grapple with the challenges of incorporating AI into their operations, one thing is clear: the future of work will be shaped by the ability of employees to adapt quickly to new technologies. Employers who fail to prioritize developing skills that are transferable across industries and sectors risk being left behind in a rapidly changing landscape. Sources Hayden Brown, CEO of Upwork Kathy Pham, Vice President of AI at Workday Toni Vanwinkle, Vice President of Digital Employee Experience at Adobe Jim Rowan, head of AI at Deloitte Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab *Reporting by Fortune.*