Professional work “is now being shaped by AI,” says one prominent Canadian chief executive officer.
Steve Hasker, CEO of Thomson Reuters, believes “those who fail to adapt risk being left behind,” which could be a problem given that Canada is currently dropping the ball.
TR recently released its annual “Future of Professionals” report, which thoroughly analyzes the impact of AI on talent in Canada.
“Our research shows that organizations with AI strategies are seeing significant returns on investment, while those without are struggling to keep pace,” Hasker says.
At the intersection of AI and talent, Hasker sees an opportunity for “empowering professionals not just to be more productive, but to remain relevant.” It’s not about AI replacing jobs, but about the tech unlocking a new toolkit of skills to master and a fresh framework for productivity.
Within the 30-page report are three overarching themes; one is “The Modern Professional.”
A majority of professionals are experiencing significant changes to their day-to-day role, the Thomson Reuters study found, with many workers acknowledging skills gaps.
“The skills needed to thrive in many service professions have dramatically changed over the years and will very likely continue to change,” reads the report. “Today, a new modern professional is emerging—and while the core professional abilities remain the same, the modern professional uses tech and AI to augment their abilities.”
Thomson Reuters suggests that, in a professional landscape characterized by rapid technological advancements and shifting workforce demographics, individuals “must prioritize continuous learning and development, with a particular focus on AI proficiency.”
“Our research shows that those professionals who embrace a multifaceted approach to AI learning and combine formal training with hands-on experimentation and collaboration will gain a significant advantage over their peers,” the report states.
Thomson Reuters specifies that “AI fluency is not just about learning new tools; it’s about integrating AI into the professional’s mindset and workflow,” which may require “a shift in perspective” for some.
In conclusion, the report warns that “professionals that choose to move forward without a strategic approach, or simply want to wait to see how the whole AI thing plays out, will find themselves floundering and ultimately failing to maintain a competitive advantage or deliver value to their businesses or clients.”
Check out TR’s 2024 report here.
