“The future belongs to those who can learn and adapt,” said Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz, an expert in the future of work and technology and Head of the Digital Economy Chair at QUT Business School in Australia, during the webinar “Future Competencies: Key Skills for 2025 and Beyond…” organized by Future Collars – a digital skills school.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the world, presenting us with new challenges. Changes are occurring at a pace that once seemed impossible, requiring constant readiness to learn and adapt. Will we jump on the train to the future, or will we remain on the platform of the past? Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz has no doubts: the key to success in the upcoming era is developing competencies that will enable us to collaborate effectively with new technologies.
New Competencies Needed in an Algorithm-Driven World
In a rapidly changing world driven by artificial intelligence, adaptability is not just an advantage but a necessity. History shows that resistance to new technologies leads to marginalization. We remember accountants who did not adapt to the digital era—today, their places have been taken by those who successfully implemented new software. Similarly, ignoring the AI revolution carries the risk of falling behind. The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” by the World Economic Forum states that 44% of core worker skills will change within the next five years, highlighting the urgent need for continuous learning and skill enhancement.
Treating AI Systems: A Wise Friend but Not Always Predictable
Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz aptly compares AI systems to wise friends who possess vast knowledge but can sometimes surprise us with unpredictable reactions. “I often say that we should treat these systems like our friends. They are very smart, have read many books, but they also like to experiment with mild stimulants, and we never know when they do. As a result, we must remember that these systems can sometimes act a little crazy,” says Prof. Kowalkiewicz. This comparison aims to highlight that AI, despite its impressive intelligence, can generate unexpected or even incorrect responses. Therefore, developing critical thinking skills is crucial to assess and verify information provided by AI.
Programming Skills: Why Knowing Basic Coding Matters
In the AI era, programming skills are a valuable asset. They help us better understand how computer systems work and collaborate with them effectively. Learning to code, even at a basic level, fosters analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in the digital world. “Everyone should dedicate some time to learning a simple programming language regularly. In 2025, that language will likely be Python or JavaScript. The goal is not to become a professional programmer but to develop ‘digital literacy’—the ability to understand how computers and systems think and are programmed,” explains Prof. Kowalkiewicz.
Joanna Pruszyńska-Witkowska, VP of Future Collars, adds: “At Future Collars, we teach programming and other languages like Java, which are versatile and applicable across industries. Our students gain practical skills that enable them to create innovative solutions in various sectors where Python plays a crucial role.”
Programming has applications in nearly every field. In Finance and Banking, developers create fintech applications, automate processes, and analyze data. In Medicine and Biotechnology, programming is used to develop medical applications and process data. In Energy and Renewable Energy, developers create applications for monitoring and controlling energy systems. These are just a few examples, with possibilities being nearly limitless.
Advice for Job Seekers: How to Stay Competitive in the AI Era
To remain competitive in the job market, actively developing skills that enable effective collaboration with AI is essential. Continuous learning, openness to new technologies, and adaptability are key. “There’s a high chance that your profession will still exist in five years, but by then, most people in your field will be using AI tools to work faster, better, and more efficiently,” emphasizes Prof. Kowalkiewicz. We should remember watchmakers, whose profession has nearly disappeared, or COBOL programmers, whose numbers are dwindling. The future belongs to those who can adapt to changing conditions.
“Vibe Work”: A New Form of AI Collaboration
“Vibe work” is a new concept of AI collaboration based on creative dialogue and idea exchange. It involves human-AI interaction where both contribute their unique skills to solve problems. Prof. Kowalkiewicz describes it as: “This is ‘vibe work.’ We will see more of this in the future.” Imagine a marketing specialist working with an AI bot to develop an advertising strategy—humans bring creativity and intuition, while AI analyzes data and generates scenarios.
AI Minions: Personalized AI Assistants
Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz uses personalized AI assistants, which he calls “minions.” These tools help with daily tasks and provide valuable insights. “I train each minion in something different. One minion has access to all my articles, another to my presentations, and so on. Then I consult them, saying: ‘I’m working on this. You know my work—give me new ideas,'” explains Prof. Kowalkiewicz. Imagine a “minion” trained in market analysis, continuously monitoring trends and providing reports, allowing us to focus on strategic decisions.
Marketing for Algorithms: A Future Profession
As AI evolves, a new marketing field is emerging—one that targets algorithms rather than humans. Specialists in this field will design strategies to reach algorithms making purchasing decisions. “Some of you may become algorithm marketers, meaning you won’t market to people but to algorithms. In reality, this is not a future profession; it’s already happening. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is precisely marketing for algorithms, where we try to convince Google and other search engines to rank our website higher,” says Prof. Kowalkiewicz. Consider refrigerators that autonomously order groceries—marketers will need to develop strategies to influence these devices’ algorithms to select specific brands.
Case Studies: How Companies Use AI
Businesses worldwide are implementing AI solutions to enhance efficiency and innovation.
- Customer Service Automation: Many companies use AI chatbots to handle customer inquiries, solve problems, and direct users to the right departments. This ensures fast, efficient 24/7 customer service while reducing employee workload.
- Personalized Experiences: AI is used to tailor customer experiences across industries. Streaming platforms recommend movies based on viewing history, while e-commerce sites suggest products based on purchase behavior and preferences.
- AI in the Judiciary: AI is making its way into traditionally human-dominated fields like the legal system. Prof. Kowalkiewicz highlights an Australian Supreme Court case where a judge noted that an applicant had used ChatGPT to prepare legal documents. This precedent shows how AI is becoming a valuable tool in legal professions, aiding in drafting legal documents. However, it also raises ethical and legal concerns about AI’s role in sensitive fields.
- Autonomous Taxis and Policing: The rise of autonomous technologies brings questions about the future of transportation and human-machine interactions. Prof. Kowalkiewicz discusses cases where autonomous taxis evade police and how officers communicate with these vehicles. These AI-driven systems serve as a broader metaphor for the challenges of managing autonomous systems like ChatGPT. He notes that in the U.S., police officers often treat autonomous taxis more courteously than human drivers—a fascinating insight into our evolving relationship with technology.
Recommendations: Practical Tips for Developing Future Skills
- Experiment with AI: Regularly use AI tools to understand their capabilities and applications.
- Develop Analytical Skills: Learn to analyze data and draw conclusions—critical skills for working with AI.
- Invest in Coding Skills: Gain basic programming knowledge to understand how computer systems function.
- Stay Open to New Technologies: Follow AI trends and learn about new tools.
- Enhance Soft Skills: Work on communication, teamwork, and critical thinking—key competencies for AI collaboration.
Key Competencies for the Future
The world is changing before our eyes, with AI playing a central role in this transformation. To thrive in this new reality, we must develop competencies that enable us to work effectively with technology. Critical thinking, curiosity, adaptability, and lifelong learning will shape our future. “We must develop skills that can never be taken from us—critical thinking, curiosity, and AI utilization,” concludes Prof. Kowalkiewicz. Let’s embrace change as an opportunity for growth and a better future.
