Skills Come First. The Podcast About How to Stay Current

Lifelong learning is not a #

In the latest episode of the podcast, Jowita Michalska discusses the need for continuous employee training, how quickly technological skills become obsolete, and the necessity of regulating professions associated with new technologies and AI.

The guest of this episode of “Po pierwsze, umiejętności. Podcast o tym, jak być na czasie” (Skills Come First. The Podcast About How to Stay Current) is Jowita Michalska, Founder and CEO of Digital University, Digital European Union Ambassador, and Singularity Group Warsaw Chapter Ambassador.

AI in Poland – embraced privately, but not yet in business

Jowita Michalska sees her mission as “equipping Poles with the essential digital skills”. New technologies have rapidly moved beyond the domain of a small group of experts and become an integral part of everyday life, shaping the way we work, learn and communicate.

“Around one billion people worldwide are already using AI. During my lectures, I ask participants in Poland how many of them use artificial intelligence. The answer is never less than 90 percent,” says Jowita Michalska, illustrating just how deeply new technologies have become embedded in our daily lives.

The picture is very different in the business world. As the podcast guest points out, according to Eurostat data, Poland ranks second to last in Europe in the adoption of artificial intelligence by companies. Only 5.9 percent of organisations in the country declare they have integrated AI into their operations and actively use it.

“I believe this is because we simply do not invest enough in education,” says Jowita Michalska, and continues:

“Education is still treated as something that employees do on the side, away from their day-to-day work. Today, organisations should view employee learning as a strategic part of the business. Lifelong learning is not a hashtag.”

This is particularly important because the skills required in today’s workplace can no longer be considered permanent. Technological and organisational change means that competences become outdated at an increasingly rapid pace. As a result, it is no longer enough simply to acquire new skills; they must also be continually updated to meet the changing needs of the labour market.

“Technical skills have a lifespan of around two and a half years, while soft skills typically remain relevant for around five years,” comments Jowita Michalska.

Effective lifelong learning

“Lifelong learning is not a hashtag” is one of the podcast guest’s favourite sayings. It is intended to encourage employers to make learning a core element of their business strategy and to remind working professionals that learning should never stop.

“It’s also important to adapt your learning methods to your age and personal circumstances. I can no longer learn the way I did at university (by quickly memorising information). Instead, I encourage people to follow the approach I use myself: dedicate 30 minutes to learning three times a week, in addition to whatever learning takes place as part of your job,” says Jowita Michalska.

Microcredentials can help regulate the AI education market

Any conversation about education and emerging technologies inevitably raises concerns and uncertainty. However, according to the expert, fear of new technologies and AI should not prevent people from engaging with them. In today’s world, avoiding them is not an option.

“We are already living in a world of algorithmic management, whether we realise it or not. When it comes to new technologies, ‘fear’ is the wrong word – what we need is knowledge and understanding,” emphasises Jowita Michalska.

She also believes that the market for AI education, as well as professions linked to emerging technologies, needs clearer regulation. These are relatively new fields that are often difficult for both employers and employees to define and understand. Microcredentials could play an important role in addressing this challenge, and not only that.

“Before long, microcredentials listed on a CV may well make candidates more likely to be selected by AI-powered recruitment tools,” remarks Jowita Michalska.

Watch the full episode of the podcast!