A.I. Might Be The Next Revolution; Let's Not Forget About Talent

In a world where technology is advancing faster than ever, some fear artificial intelligence's dark side. They speak of a future ruled by machines, a dystopian nightmare straight out of Terminator or The Matrix. Others simply mourn the loss of jobs for human beings as machines and AI replaced their skills. However, the future is less bleak than some may predict. Like the Internet revolution and the industrial revolution before it, the evolution of work is inevitable as new technology and breakthroughs get integrated into the system. AI is just another evolution of work. It's natural for technology to progress and change our work since change is part of life. 

But let us remember the value humans or talent bring to the equation. We must acknowledge that people are the ones who drive new technology, breakthroughs, advances, and progress. Even as technology becomes more ubiquitous and available to everyone, the key differentiator, the competitive advantage, will remain the talent an organization has. Unfortunately, this concept is the one component missing from the conversation. One that no one seemed to be discussing unless, of course, you wanted to be called a Sapienist—someone who valued humans over other life forms or technology.

Just take my recent trip to St. Maarten as an example. Technology made every step of my journey possible, but the people behind the scenes made it all happen. First, I used the Uber app to schedule my ride, but Raul arrived on time to take me to the airport. Next, I used the Starbucks app for my order, but it was the staff ensured I got my vanilla sweet cream cold brew before my flight. Finally, I used the American app to book my flight, but it was the gate agent, ground crew, and flight crew got me to my destination. 

Unfortunately, there were some hiccups along the way, such as the breakdown in either communication or process that caused my flight to be delayed by over 30 minutes, eating up over half of my much-needed layover time. As a result, my wife and I had to run to catch our next flight. Expecting our bags to miss the plane, you can imagine my surprise when they were loaded in the cargo hold before we sat in our seats. Despite these challenges, I am happy to report that my journey was successful, thanks to the talented individuals who performed their duties to the best of their abilities. This experience serves as a reminder that talent is crucial in ensuring services and products are delivered effectively and efficiently.

While AI and technology may be transforming the way we work, it is the talent that will remain the essential factor in ensuring success. People are and will always be the competitive advantage of a company. People ultimately hold the key to success, and their talent will ensure a bright future for all of us. What about your organization? How do they view talent?

About the Author

Jeff Lupinacci is Co-Founder (with Derek Lutz) of Evolve HR Solutions. He is a former Chief Talent and Integration Officer with 25+ years of experience in HR, Finance, M&A, IT, and Manufacturing. He has worked with Fortune 500, Private Equity, and Start-ups to deliver talent solutions and integrate companies. Jeff is Based in Dallas, Tx, is a published author, and is passionate about growing talent.