Stay smart, stay employed: Navigating work in the age of AI
Roy Ndombi, a career expert at Royal Elite Coach.
The corporate world is currently navigating a phase of the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) hype cycle.
Employees across industries are overwhelmed by speculation about the technology’s potential to transform how work gets done.
Career coach Roy Ndombi emphasizes that staying ahead in today’s workplace requires more than simply understanding AI, it demands a strategic and proactive approach.
He advises employees to engage in continuous learning by taking online courses, attending workshops, and participating in training programs that focus on AI and related technologies.
This ongoing education helps professionals keep pace with evolving tools and applications.
"Employees must be open to embracing new AI-powered tools that can improve efficiency and productivity. At the same time, developing specialization in specific areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, or computer vision can make professionals more competitive and sought-after in the job market," he notes.
Ndombi recommends connecting with others in the AI industry through conferences, online communities, and networking events to stay informed about emerging trends and job opportunities.
He also encourages employees to drive innovation by exploring ways to incorporate AI into their existing workflows to streamline operations and create value for their organizations.
"Having soft skills remains vital in the age of AI. Critical thinking, communication, creativity, and emotional intelligence complement technical know-how and can significantly enhance overall workplace effectiveness," he says
Additionally, employees should take time to set career goals, assess their skills and interests, and align them with the growing demand for AI-related roles to proactively position themselves for future growth.
Ndombi suggests automating repetitive tasks such as scheduling, data entry, and routine communications.
"AI can help organize and prioritize workloads by analysing deadlines, task complexity, and individual work patterns ensuring focus is directed where it’s most needed. It can also help employees stay informed by summarizing large volumes of information, such as reports or meeting notes, so they can quickly grasp key insights without feeling overwhelmed," he says
He highlights that AI can further streamline communication by generating drafts, edits, and translations that help convey messages more clearly and professionally.
In decision-making, AI tools can analyse data, spot trends, and simulate outcomes, enabling faster, more informed choices.
"AI can support continuous personal development by identifying knowledge gaps and recommending customized learning paths that align with individual career goals which is significant in career growth," he says.