A Q&A with Ken Frantz, Managing Director, Advisory, BPM
As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the nature of work, organizations must prioritize upskilling their workforce to remain competitive. In this Q&A, Ken Frantz, a seasoned IT leader and Managing Director of Advisory at BPM, sheds light on the essential skills that organizations will need in an AI-centric future.
Q: What skills will be most valuable in an AI-enhanced future?
AI is proving instrumental in eliminating redundant, low-stimulus tasks that can be performed faster and with greater accuracy than manual, low-tech methods. As we enable more automation and digital analysis, the skills we need in our workforce are shifting.
As important as technical skills are, I believe it’s the so-called soft skills that will serve us best as we move into an increasingly AI-driven future. For example, I think one of the most valuable skills is intellectual curiosity. That includes the ability to see possibilities in AI systems and to approach them with a creative, open-minded spirit.
Strong analytical skills will also be paramount. By this, I mean the ability to thoroughly analyze processes, identify areas for optimization and understand the data inputs and system configurations that yield the best outputs. This analytical mindset will empower workers to continually adapt and evolve as new AI capabilities emerge.
Just as importantly, workers will need to cultivate their abilities as mentors and leaders, guiding their teams along this journey of continuous learning. By sharing their knowledge and experiences, they can help build an AI-proficient workforce that is equipped to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.
At BPM, we’re taking a proactive approach to preparing our workforce for AI. We are introducing emerging technologies to our teams and giving them hands-on opportunities to explore and innovate. This allows them to gain firsthand experience with these powerful tools and share best practices across the different teams they work with.
Q: What are the biggest challenges in upskilling your workforce for an AI-centric future?
One of the biggest hurdles, in my experience, is finding the time and mental bandwidth to step back from our day-to-day responsibilities to learn about AI technologies and how to leverage them effectively. Given how quickly technology is changing, this is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and dedication.
Despite the increasing user-friendliness of AI-enabled systems, there is still a significant amount of work involved in rigorously testing and validating technical and process solutions. We cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to ensuring the quality and reliability of these powerful tools.
Moreover, as AI becomes more pervasive, we are all going to be challenged to develop a critical eye for the information we consume — text, images, videos, emails, you name it. With the potential for AI manipulation, we need to cultivate the ability to discern fact from fiction and protect ourselves from business errors or worse.
Perhaps even more importantly, we need to come to terms with the moral and ethical implications of an AI-centric future. It is vital that we remain vigilant and be sure that we are employing AI responsibly and for the greater good.
BPM: Pioneering solutions for an AI-driven world
AI may be powerful and evolving rapidly, but it is the curiosity, creativity and ethics of the people who use it that will determine how transformative it will be. Ken Frantz and his team at BPM are dedicated to helping organizations transform and innovate. With extensive experience developing robust cybersecurity programs, implementing emerging tech safeguards and addressing risks, they empower businesses to harness AI’s potential while mitigating threats.
With a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to excellence, BPM serves as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. Contact us to find out more about how Ken and his team can help you navigate the emerging world of AI.
