Claim Your Seat: Your Formula for Success in the Age of AI

I want you to take a moment and think about the last time you heard the words 'Artificial Intelligence'. Perhaps it was in a news headline about jobs being replaced, or a LinkedIn post about a new tool that seems to do everything at once. If you felt a slight pang of anxiety or a sense that the world is moving faster than you can keep up, I want to tell you something very important: you are not alone and you are definitely not late.

I have spent time in my career helping people understand data, a journey that earned me the nickname "The Godfather of Data Literacy." Throughout time, one pattern may have emerged with technology: people are not afraid of the technology itself; they are afraid of being left out of the conversation or being replaced. My new book, Data and AI Skills, can help people have a seat at the table. I want to empower you with the knowledge that you don't just have a chance to survive in this new era, you have a rightful seat at the table.

The Identity Crisis in the Digital Age

Right now, we are witnessing a massive shift in the global workforce. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, nearly a quarter of all jobs are expected to change in the next few years due to technology and AI. When you read statistics like that, it is easy to feel like a passenger on a ship you aren't steering. You might think that if you aren't a coder or a mathematician, you don't belong in the ‘AI room’.

I am here to tell you that the ‘AI room’ is actually quite empty without people like you. Technology is a tool, but tools require intent, ethics and direction to be useful. If we leave the future of AI only to the technologists, we miss out on the diverse perspectives that make businesses thrive. Your background, your intuition and your experience are exactly what AI needs to be effective.

Confidence comes from understanding your value in this new ecosystem. It isn't about knowing how to write complex algorithms; it's about knowing how to ask the right questions. This realization can help people know they don’t have to be technical but can be question askers. I have developed a formula simplifying this complex world into something manageable and powerful.

The Formula: Engineered Intelligence

To help you navigate this landscape, I created a formula serving as something tangible we can all use. I call it Engineered Intelligence (EI). It is designed to remind you that true intelligence in the modern world isn't just about what a computer can do. It is about how we, as humans and technology, ‘engineer’ a result using every tool at our disposal.

The formula is:

Engineered Intelligence = Data + AI + IQ + EQ

This equation represents a holistic approach to the future of work. It balances the technical with the personal. Let’s break down these four pillars so you can see where you already excel and where you can grow.

Pillar 1: Data (The Foundation)

Data is the lifeblood of the modern world. However, data on its own is just noise. To find value, you need Data Literacy: the ability to read, work with, analyze and communicate with data. In my previous books, I focused heavily on data literacy and in the era of AI, you cannot have AI without data.

Think of data as the ingredients for a meal. You don't need to be a scientist to understand that if the ingredients are poor, the meal will be poor. In the context of your career, being data literate means you can look at a report and understand what it is trying to tell you. It means you can spot a trend or notice when a number doesn't look quite right.

Pillar 2: AI (The Engine)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the 'engine' processing our data at scale. When I talk about AI, I am referring to machines and software that can simulate human intelligence to perform tasks like recognizing patterns or making predictions. For many, this is the scariest part of the formula: is that because it feels like a 'black box', they don’t know how AI does it or even that AI could replace them?

I want you to view AI as the ultimate assistant. It can handle the repetitive, high-volume tasks that exhaust the human brain, such as scanning millions of rows of spreadsheet data in seconds. By understanding the basics of what AI can and cannot do, you move from being intimidated by the engine to being the one who knows how to drive the car.

Pillar 3: IQ (The Logic)

Your Intelligence Quotient (IQ) represents your logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities; it also represents your personal knowledge (don’t think that intuition or gut-feel are going away). In the formula for Engineered Intelligence, IQ is about how we apply strategy to the data and AI tools we have. AI can give you an answer, but your IQ is what determines if that answer makes sense in the real world.

Machines are great at logic, but they lack common sense and context. Your ability to think critically is what bridges the gap between a computer’s output and a business’ outcome. This is where your industry experience becomes your greatest asset. You know the nuances of your field that a machine will never truly grasp.

Pillar 4: EQ (The Human Differentiator)

The final and perhaps most important piece of the puzzle is Emotional Intelligence (EQ). This involves self-awareness, empathy and social skills. As AI becomes more prevalent, EQ becomes the premium skill. Research by Gartner consistently shows human-centric skills are becoming more valuable as technical tasks are automated.

AI cannot feel empathy. It cannot build a relationship with a client or navigate the complex politics of an office meeting. It cannot truly lead a team through a crisis. Your EQ is your superpower. By combining your emotional intelligence with data-driven insights, you become a leader who is not only smart but also resonant and impactful.

Why You Belong at the Table in the Age of AI

Can we say we are tired of seeing brilliant people count themselves out of the digital revolution? You might think, "I'm a creative person, I don't need data," or "I'm in HR, AI doesn't apply to me." The truth is that every role in every industry is being touched by these forces.

When you embrace the formula of Engineered Intelligence, your confidence can change. You stop asking, "Will a robot take my job?" and start asking, "How can I use this data and AI to do my job better?" This shift in mindset can help develop confidence. It is the confidence that comes from competence and the realization that your human traits, your IQ and EQ, are the ingredients that can help the technology work.

We are currently in a period of Augmented Intelligence, where technology enhances human capability rather than replacing it. According to research from McKinsey & Company, generative AI could add trillions of dollars in value to the global economy. That value isn't created by machines alone; it is created by people like you using those machines to solve human problems.

Your Next Steps in the World of Data and AI

The world of data and AI can feel like a vast, intimidating ocean. But you don't need to be a world-class swimmer to cross it; you simply need the right vessel and a clear map. My 5th book is a map for all. We have discussed how the formula of Engineered Intelligence (Data + AI + IQ + EQ)provides a balanced way to look at your skills. We have seen that your human intelligence and emotional intelligence are a part of the anchors of success.

I want you to leave this article with one clear thought: you can help ‘Engineer’ in Engineered Intelligence. The data is yours to use. The AI is yours to command. Your logic and your heart are there to help you move forward.

If you are ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling empowered, I invite you to dive deeper into these concepts. The table is set and there is a seat waiting for you. All you have to do is take it.

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