In 1997, AI defeated Garry Kasparov, the grandmaster. In 1998, Kasparov introduced advanced chess to the world, where human players use a computer chess program to explore candidate moves while the human controls and makes the final decisions throughout the game.

What unfolded in the chess community is now happening on a grand scale across various fields.

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A few years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionized the business world. The media heralded new careers on the horizon, such as prompt engineer. The topic of prompting skills and job replacement has risen to prominence and continues to be prevalent.

However, these conversations often overshadow the critical role of durable skills, commonly known as soft skills. These skills, resilient to technological disruptions, are indispensable for effectively utilizing AI. Durable skills encompass a spectrum of abilities, including critical thinking, communication, and adaptability.

Technical skills can become outdated with new innovations, but durable skills evolve and adapt, enabling individuals to navigate complex and dynamic environments. These skills are essential for effective problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal interactions, forming the bedrock of professional competence.

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The ability to judge and compare sources of information is critical and does not come naturally. It requires rigorous training and practice to become familiar with a specific field. In other words, one must be an expert to wield AI power effectively. This is true in any business context. Finding the right environment to grow and obtaining guidance and feedback from a mentor who will help you develop and excel is essential.

Another skill that experts must hone is lateral reading, a practice emphasized by the Civic Online Reasoning (COR). Lateral reading involves verifying information by cross-checking multiple sources. This initiative provides strategies for evaluating online information, particularly aimed at helping students and professionals navigate the complexities of the digital information landscape.

Professional proficiency and lateral reading skills will enable you to be critical when working with AI. If you lack knowledge of marketing literature, how can you trust AI’s advice on marketing strategies? Similarly, if your understanding of cybersecurity is minimal, you will not grasp what AI explains about encryption or phishing. Sure, AI gurus out there will say that you can ask AI to simplify or analogize its responses, you still cannot be certain that the information is correct, or the analogy is valid.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Vasa Buraphadeja

Vasa Buraphadeja is an Assistant Professor at MSME Business School, specializing in technology integration into teaching and learning. He directs the Center for Learning Innovation, focusing on enhancing teaching through technology. His research includes influential publications on content analysis and critical thinking in computer-mediated communication.

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