Everyone is talking about AI, and workers everywhere are concerned about their jobs. And while experts are confident that AI likely won’t take your job, it probably will change it.

As a result, it’s critical for most workers to develop professional AI skills so you can adapt to this new technology and gain a competitive edge in the job market. It will likely be important for all roles, even if you think you may not need it now.

And since AI isn’t going anywhere, now is the time for workers to start learning how it works and how they can leverage it for their current job performance and future career advancement. In this post, we’ll discuss what workers can do in conjunction with their employers and independently to develop critical skills that will set them apart moving forward.

1. Review your company’s stance on AI

Before doing anything, it’s essential to review your company’s policy on AI. These policies might include:

• Specific tools that you can use.
• Tasks that you can or cannot use AI to complete.
• Guidance around testing or reviewing AI processes, including oversight or compliance considerations.

It’s imperative that you review these policies and talk to your managers before incorporating any new tools or processes into your workflows. AI tech is developing rapidly, and it’s not without potential concerns to keep in mind.

If you put information into some AI models, for example, they may absorb that information and use it to train future models. This is a problem if you’re sharing proprietary brand or customer information with the AI tool.

There are also potential copyright and quality issues regarding AI content. It can be inaccurate, potentially plagiarise from other companies or creators, and may not be eligible for copyright protection.

As a result, your company may require that you only use tools that have human oversight features, strong data protection, and transparent decision-making processes. Microsoft Copilot, for example, has strong firewalls to ensure that your data stays proprietary.

Violating company policies— even if your company is AI-forward— could cause significant issues, so make sure you understand what you can and can’t do first.

If your organization doesn't have clear AI policies yet, this could be an opportunity to help shape the conversation. Consider reaching out to your manager or HR team to discuss how AI might benefit your role and what guardrails might be helpful.

2. Ask about internal AI training

Many forward-thinking employers are beginning to recognize that AI literacy is becoming a crucial skill for their now-transforming workforce. And since companies may have their own preferred tools and processes, internal training can be invaluable.

Don't hesitate to express interest in AI training to your manager or learning and development team. Many companies are still figuring out their AI training strategies, and employee interest can help prioritize these initiatives. Some organizations are partnering with educational providers to offer AI courses, while others are developing internal training programs.

3. Consider AI courses or certificate programs

In addition to potential internal training opportunities, you can look into training outside of your  company.

Some companies offer continued education benefits, which can help with this training. For example, one of our team members took advantage of continued education benefits to earn an AI certificate from Google. Zachery started putting his newly-gained knowledge into practice right away.

However, it’s important to note that many employers that partner with EdAssist™ may have restrictions regarding what types of programs they’ll cover with education assistance benefits. Some may require that it’s offered by an accredited college, for example.

Many AI courses today are currently offered by third-party providers, so talk to your EdAssist coach or policy experts when determining if a course might be covered by your benefits.

4. Test out tools at home

One of the most practical ways to build AI familiarity is to experiment with tools in your personal time. This hands-on experience will help you understand AI capabilities and limitations without the pressure of immediate work applications.

Start with user-friendly tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or industry-relevant tools. Practice using them for personal tasks such as writing emails, planning projects, or researching topics you're curious about.

This experimentation will help you get a feel for how to craft effective prompts and understand what AI can and cannot do well. Maybe it can help you manage your personal schedule well, but you don’t feel like it does a stellar job writing emails to clients.

As you become more comfortable, think about how these tools might apply to your work responsibilities. For example, AI may be able to help you:

• Draft reports more efficiently.
• Analyze data patterns.
• Generate creative ideas for projects.
• Review or edit code to deploy changes faster.
• Save time on employee scheduling.

This personal experimentation will prepare you to suggest AI applications when your workplace is ready.

And remember: Don’t use personal AI tools for company work or use company data unless your company explicitly allows it. Always follow company policy and general AI best practices.

5. Watch key trends

Staying informed about AI developments in your industry will help you anticipate changes and identify learning opportunities. Follow industry publications, thought leaders, and professional associations that are discussing AI applications relevant to your field.

LinkedIn has become a particularly valuable platform, with key industry players often discussing AI usage and new developments. With so many professionals sharing their experiences with AI tools, there are valuable opportunities to discuss challenges and successes. It can help you understand how peers in your field are adapting to AI.

Industry-specific resources— such as trade publications, professional associations, or specialized newsletters— often provide more targeted insights than general AI news. These sources can help you understand which AI applications are gaining traction in your specific field and what skills might become most valuable.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The AI revolution is happening whether we participate or not, but those who engage proactively will be better positioned for success.

By understanding your company's approach, seeking out learning opportunities, and staying informed about industry trends, you can build the AI literacy that will serve you throughout your career.

Think of AI literacy like digital literacy. Many Millennials grew up with cell phones and widespread computer access. As a result, they can often better identify phishing emails or text scams than some older generations. They thoroughly understand the technology, its capabilities, and potential risks associated with it.

AI will be the same way. Knowing how you can safely and effectively leverage it— and how you can’t— is an important starting point. And as it evolves, workers who thrive will be those who view it as a tool and not a threat.

By taking steps today to understand and work with AI, you're investing in a future where you can leverage this powerful technology to excel in your career.

Want to learn more about how to advance your career? Check out our blog for more resources.