We have been dealing with the necessary prerequisites and conditions for developing contemporary or digital skills for what feels like forever. Over the years, we have published various articles on this – now we are taking the next step and feeding AI. What exactly is it about?
Since the psychologist Franz E. Weinert launched his famous concept of competence in 2001, it has been making ever greater waves and has had a significant impact on educational reform in Germany since the 2000s.
Competencies as “the cognitive abilities and skills available to individuals or learned by them to solve certain problems, as well as the associated motivational, volitional and social readiness and abilities to be able to use the problem solutions successfully and responsibly in variable situations.”
This was almost revolutionary at the time, as many people were still tinkering with the necessary canon of knowledge in their respective disciplines. In recent years, however, it has become clear to almost everyone that we can no longer progress innovatively enough with the focus on the old knowledge transfer in “further education”. Since then, all kinds of researchers and institutions have been developing new skills almost on a weekly basis that should be acquired or even “taught” in order to help shape the future.
By the time the amusing “incompetence compensation competence” was introduced, the concept of competence had become obsolete. The number of fantasy skills required became almost unmanageable – and the term “future skills” emerged. Initially thrown into the ring by McKinsey/ Stifterverband in 2018, this term also underwent a similar exponential development over time as the concept of competence before it.
There are now more than 250 so-called “future skills” – and the situation is becoming more confusing every day. The terms are becoming blurred and the lists are getting longer and longer. Can anyone still see through what is really, really needed? Lots of articles, studies, books and courses are being published. And lists upon lists of individual skills and abilities that should be developed and built up. Who still has an overview?
In our last EU project on the FITskilling roundtable, we took a closer look at the current status of Future Skills. You can read all about it here. Of course, future skills are also an integral part of our current EU project to develop an AI compass. We regularly scan the networks and research statuses to see whether new, important studies have come onto the market. We analyze these and present them.
Now we’ve tipped the latest studies into an AI assistant and used our Future Skills Lara has been developed. She specializes in analyzing and identifying the skills and competencies that will be important in the future – always with an eye on the challenges of the climate crisis and the age of artificial intelligence.
Our Future Skills Lara can be consulted to get an independent picture of what is currently recommended. Both for individuals, but also for companies, the education system, etc. It is, of course, a work in progress – it is far from perfect. But we will keep fine-tuning it. Let’s see if we succeed.
What are the benefits of Future Skills Lara?
We traditionally distinguish between the individual, cultural and infrastructural levels, all of which together only make it possible to build up relevant expertise.
Our Future Skills Lara considers all three levels in their interdependence. After all, we can only master the challenges of the future if the interplay is right. This is not about highlighting people’s shortcomings, but about understanding systems and shaping them positively. And what we can actively do within this framework. The future belongs to those who are prepared to take responsibility – for themselves, for others and for our planet.
Individual level: knowledge and skills for the future
On an individual level, it is about what knowledge and skills you should acquire as an individual in order to be prepared for the future. You don’t necessarily have to become a programmer or data analyst. For most people, it is enough to learn how to use standard AI applications, similar to a smartphone app . Wichtig ist, dass Du Dich mit den Grundlagen der digitalen Welt vertraut machst und lernst, wie Du die neuen Technologien für Dich nutzen kannst .
Cultural level: values and leadership for an open future
At the cultural level, it is about the values and attitudes that companies, countries and organizations should develop in order to promote an open, curious and error-tolerant culture. This is where leadership is required – from each and every individual. Because if you want to change something, you should be prepared to take responsibility and grow into a leadership role . Eine Kultur des lebenslangen Lernens und der Offenheit für Neues ist der Schlüssel für eine erfolgreiche Zukunft.
Infrastructural level: framework conditions for development
At the infrastructural level, it is about the framework conditions that need to be created so that people can develop. This includes financial resources, technological requirements, time and good environmental conditions . Nur wenn diese Faktoren stimmen, können Menschen ihr volles Potenzial entfalten und fit für die Zukunft werden. Hier sind Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft gleichermaßen gefordert, die richtigen Weichen zu stellen.
Future adjustments
To stay up to date, we regularly feed our Future Skills Lara with the latest studies and findings. So stellen wir sicher, dass sie Dir stets die besten Empfehlungen geben kann, ohne in Buzzword-Bingo zu verfallen.
We are aware that there are huge differences between simple users of AI and experts who want to help shape AI. Not everyone has to be involved in all areas – but each and every individual should be prepared to engage with the future and develop their own potential. Because only together can we shape a future worth living – with new technologies, new skills and, above all, a new attitude.
Take Action!
So try out our Future Skills Lara on ChatGPT for free.
Alternatively: If you don’t want to create an OpenAI account, simply go to our AI Compass. There we have also stored the current status as an interactive chatbot. Have fun!
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