Skills and Standards Must Be Machine Readable for AI to Succeed in Education and Workforce
Flipping the Narrative
Rethinking Success: Skills and Standards in the Modern Workplace
Since leaving the K-12 classroom 10 years ago, I’ve seen a huge shift in Machine Learning and AI based products. The first product I worked on was OpenEd, which was a learning and formative assessment platform that relied on human curators to train a machine learning algorithm to correctly identify standards present in the video. First we aimed just for Common Core, but eventually needed other specific states and that was where I started working on Crosswalks. First we used spreadsheets, then an MVP tool called SMT (Standards Management Tool, so clever!) because we didn’t want to pay exorbitant prices for the primary standards/crosswalk vendor in town. I was introduced to the CASE specification in 2016 which codified how skills/standards should be machine-readable and thus open and transparent for computers not just humans, and that’s been my career focus ever since.
Skills in the Era of AI
As highlighted by Cliff Jurkiewicz in Fast Company, skills serve as the new barometer for measuring organizational success, surpassing traditional financial metrics. The reason lies in the transformative power of AI, which complements human abilities by performing routine and data-intensive tasks with greater efficiency.
By automating mundane tasks, AI enables employees to focus on more strategic, creative, and interpersonal aspects essential for business growth and innovation. It’s not just a tool but a catalyst, amplifying the impact of human intuition, creativity, and interaction. For organizations, equipping employees with the right mix of skills and leveraging AI to augment these capabilities has become a crucial strategy for competitive advantage.
Here is an example of an AI Agent that can control your browser and automate research tasks:
Durable Skills: The Foundation of Success
Nell Derick Debevoise from Forbes underscores the importance of durable skills—such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving—as the bedrock of organizational functionality. In a world where AI excels at processing and analyzing data, the human ability to connect, empathize, and collaborate is irreplaceable - especially in still-human organizations
Durable skills foster better teamwork, enhance communication with clients and stakeholders, and nurture a productive work environment. These elements are pivotal for success yet cannot be quantified on a balance sheet. Moreover, in an increasingly digital world, maintaining human connection is essential, and durable skills ensure that organizations don’t lose their human touch.
Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Skills Paradigm
Organizations must prioritize continuous learning and skills development. This involves investing in training programs that nurture both technical proficiency and durable skills. By doing so, they can ensure a workforce that is robust and fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Recognizing skills as the driving force behind progress allows organizations to foster a culture of learning and adaptability—attributes that are indispensable in an unpredictable business environment.
Key Takeaways
AI without a foundation of what problems are being solved with just be a black hole
Using skills and taxonomies (even if they’re created by AI!) will help focus organizations and schools on what to help people learn
Constantly updating via real time updates what’s important will be key
As the lines between technology and human capabilities continue to blur, the focus on skills—both technical and durable/people-oriented —emerges as a defining factor for success.