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9 June 2024 | Issue #51

In this issue:

• Stats about AI's impact on jobs
• What to do after design? Reddit discussion
• Creativity vs AI
• No AI skills, no job
• Design jobs board

Are you someone who gets motivated when they see stats? I am. That's why I was so happy when I saw Angela Green Urbaczewski's summary of a recent roundtable discussion on the topic of AI and the Future of Work.

1. While 60% of recruiters are looking for candidates with AI skills, most companies still do not have an AI training roadmap and individuals are largely pursuing training/continuing ed on their own
2. 70% of employees say they are using AI for work, but only 1/4 of companies say they are actively implementing it.
3. 60% of US jobs are projected to be significantly complemented or replaced by AI by 2030.
4. The half-life of AI skills is estimated at 5 years for general workers, 2.5 years for developers.
5. Public-private partnerships will be essential for workforce retraining and redeployment

My takeaway from this list: people are using AI, but companies still haven't quite figured out what to do with that.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to learn this AI stuff. Whether you have a job or you're currently a free agent, saying you know AI - and be able to demonstrate its benefits - will put you in better standing.

The key is demonstrating that you understand how to use AI and how it benefits the company. These are two separate things. But you have to do both.

If you work for a company, set up an open training session to show your teammates how you're using AI. It could be something simple like a lunch and learn.

I know it can be a little scary to show people how you're using these tools because it seems like you could be easily replaced. The reality is that you're showing people that you're ahead of the curve, you're working more efficiently, and it makes you more valuable.

​ NEWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MARKETING, DESIGN, & AI

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🤕 What to do after design?

I just came across this Reddit discussion asking what designers did after they burned out. Here are a few of the answers

• marketing
• teaching
• landscaping
• strategy

​Read comments​

(And here is where I do the icky promote-y thing and tell you I can help if you have the same question. Click a link at the bottom)

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🤑 Creativity is a Blood and Guts Business – AI Has Neither Blood Nor Guts

Communication Arts dives into the debate on AI’s role in creativity, emphasizing why the human element remains irreplaceable for designers striving to create meaningful work.

• Human Emotion and Experience: The article argues that true creativity stems from human emotion and lived experiences, elements that AI simply cannot replicate.

• Ethical and Moral Judgment: Designers bring ethical considerations and moral judgments to their work, aspects that are crucial for creating responsible and impactful designs, which AI lacks.

​Keep reading​

​ NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU

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No AI skills, no job.

Chris Penn wrote a great piece earlier this week spotlighting that education is failing its students. When teachers/professors ban the use of AI, they're actually failing to develop a skill that is critical moving forward.

While AI-generated content may have been as simple as pressing the easy button, it is actually a tool that needs to be mastered.

Businesses are saying, "we need people with this skill" and education is saying, "but that makes our job harder, so ... no."

Now, we obviously don't want to get into a scenario where students are writing papers with AI, and then educators are grading those papers with AI.

But there has to be a way to teach these skills and still be able to evaluate if the student understands the information they're required to learn.

Looking for a design job?

It's a rough job market out there for designers. A couple of weeks ago I posted on LinkedIn that I was looking for a part-time freelance UX/UI designer, and I had 200 notifications before I knew it.

If you're in the market for a new design role, check out the Design Jobs job board and weekly newsletter. Every Monday, they send out a newsletter featuring the top design roles in tech, both globally and remotely. During the week, you can use the job board and content to enhance your recruitment process and boost your earning potential.
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Design Jobs specifically focuses on sourcing roles in tech from early-stage startups to tech giants. This is because tech roles, particularly at early-stage startups, offer a wealth of opportunities for designers to gain valuable experience, enhance their portfolios, and contribute to the growth of dynamic companies.
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​Free Designer CV Template from Design Jobs

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HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

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If you want to learn more about what's available, here are some links: ​Coaching​ ​Courses​ ​Articles​ ​What’s After Design​ ​ Thanks for reading! -Jim ​ ​Let's chat about your career growth

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