I heard it again today: “Artificial intelligence is taking over. It won’t be long until it puts me out of a job.”
My response: “If AI can replace you, you’re not putting enough effort into your career.”
Does it sound harsh? Maybe…but it’s the truth. Administrative professionals who are constantly innovating, willing to embrace AI instead of fearing it, and doing their best to learn and grow with the changing times and technologies are not at risk of being replaced by AI.
It’s those who aren’t doing these things that are in danger.
Recently, I had a conversation with an administrative professional who has been in the business for a very long time. She’s in her 60s, well educated, and dedicated to her career. However, despite having extensive AI knowledge, she refuses to use it.
The reason? “If I automate my tasks, I’ll have nothing to do all day.”
I told her she was looking at it all wrong. If you automate all of the tasks you can, think about how much more you can do each day to benefit your company and further your career!
I think she got the message.
If you want to survive in the age of artificial intelligence, here’s what you need to do.
Take the initiative to learn about emerging automation technologies and identify areas where intelligent automation can add value to your role. Some options to consider include:
- Microsoft Office Suite’s Copilot
- Google Workspace’s Duet AI
- Project management tool workflows
- Data analysis and insights: Utilize AI tools for data analysis and reporting. These tools can help administrative professionals extract valuable insights from large datasets, identify patterns and trends, and generate comprehensive reports, empowering data-driven decision-making. For example, open any Excel spreadsheet and explore the analyze data section on the home ribbon. You’ll look like a data wizard in no time!
Become an AI advocate and implementer. Proactively seek opportunities to explore and integrate AI tools and technologies into your workflow. Be an advocate for AI adoption within your organization, showcasing the potential benefits such as improved efficiency, data-driven insights, and enhanced decision-making. For example, create your own bot to address the most commonly asked questions and program it using a simple Word document with Albertai.
Focus on the skills AI can’t replace. While AI can automate certain tasks, there are essential human skills that remain irreplaceable. Focus on developing and honing your soft skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. These skills will differentiate you from AI and make you an indispensable asset in the workplace. Cultivate your ability to analyze complex situations, provide strategic insights, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
By doing these things, you can position yourself as The Innovative Admin™ — someone who not only welcomes the potential of AI but actively drives its implementation and leverages it to unlock fantastic new opportunities in your administrative career!
© 2023 Julie Perrine International, LLC
HOW TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEBSITE
Want to use this article in your newsletter, ezine or website? You can — just as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Julie Perrine, CAP-OM, is the founder and CEO of All Things Admin, providing training, mentoring and resources for administrative professionals worldwide. Julie applies her administrative expertise and passion for lifelong learning to serving as an enthusiastic mentor, speaker and author who educates admins around the world on how to be more effective every day. Learn more about Julie’s books — The Innovative Admin: Unleash the Power of Innovation in Your Administrative Career and The Organized Admin: Leverage Your Unique Organizing Style to Create Systems, Reduce Overwhelm, and Increase Productivity, and Become a Procedures Pro: The Admin’s Guide to Developing Effective Office Systems and Procedures.
