Never Too Old to Learn: How Experience Gives You an “AI Edge”
This guest post was crafted by Diane Flynn, an executive coach and growth mindset expert. It really resonates with something Henrik and I heard while interviewing Brice Challamel, Head of AI at Moderna, last week. He mentioned how they’ve got stickers all over their laptops at Moderna with the tagline “Don’t be Fred. Use AI.” It’s a reference to a particularly tech-resistant executive from a previous era. And what Diane says is true: older generations are indeed more reluctant to embrace AI, even though they have far more to gain from the experience edge than more junior professionals. Read her insights and advice on this topic below.
When I heard about the remarkable ways Diane has been unleashed by AI herself, I was eager to collaborate. We ended up designing a new course for Udemy called “AI for Work: 12 Ways to Do Better Work, Faster.” We are hopeful that the material resonates with beginners as both accessible and deeply practical. When members of my own family ask me where to start, I send them this course. And now, as a holiday gift of our own, Diane and I are pleased to offer readers of this newsletter a free course coupon at the link at the end of Diane’s post.
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I’ve seen how each wave of technological advancement—from personal computers to smartphones—has been met with hesitation by older generations. But the advent of AI feels different. As Jeremy Utley points out: “AI is a technology that particularly favors experience.”
This truth is both empowering and urgent. The outputs of AI tools directly depend on the quality of the input you provide. Better input yields better results, which is where experienced professionals shine. Your years of real-world knowledge and nuanced understanding give you an incredible advantage in crafting effective prompts, enabling AI to generate higher-quality, more impactful outputs. I personally save on average of 20 hours/week using AI, and am confident my work is of higher quality. (These time and quality metrics have been confirmed by Harvard Business School and BCG in a study.)
For example, a seasoned marketer can use AI to create compelling copy by drawing upon a deep understanding of customer psychology and market trends. In contrast, a less experienced marketer may struggle to achieve the same results without that context. This is why the AI revolution is a moment for experienced professionals to step forward—not shy away.
Yet, there’s a noticeable “generational gap” in AI adoption. A client recently told me they’re hiring young people specifically because of their adept use of AI. Younger generations are diving in, experimenting with AI for everything, while older professionals often take a more cautious approach. But caution doesn’t have to mean resistance. It’s time to harness AI as a tool that enhances, rather than replaces, your expertise. It’s a way to do better work, faster!
Five Actionable Steps to Get Started with AI
Identify Areas Where AI Can Help
Start small. Think of tasks where AI can streamline your workload, generate insights, or spark creativity. For example, I use AI daily to recap articles or create first drafts of emails. This simple habit has increased my bandwidth and made me more responsive.Choose the Right Tool
Invest in a user-friendly AI tool that aligns with your goals. A small monthly fee (around $20) will give you access to frontier models like GPT-4, Claude 3, or Gemini 1.5. As Jeremy says, “Friends don’t let friends use GPT-3.5” which is a light-hearted jab at the use of free tools.Start with Low-Stakes Projects
Familiarize yourself with AI by starting small. For instance, ask AI to interview you about a decision you’re grappling with—it’s like having a thought partner that helps you gain clarity and confidence.Join a Community of Learners
Engage with professionals who are also exploring AI. Jeremy’s AI Junto is a great resource, and there are countless others. Collaboration sparks innovation and helps you stay inspired.Seek Out AI Inspiration
To help you get started, Jeremy and I are offering 1,000 free coupons for our new Udemy course “AI for Work: 12 Ways to do Better Work, Faster” for the next five days. Once you sign up, you’ll have access anytime, so don’t delay.There’s no catch — we simply want to help more people do their best work.
Your Experience is Your Edge—Use It
The AI revolution is here, and it’s not waiting for anyone. But unlike previous technological shifts, AI amplifies the value of your expertise. By combining your hard-won knowledge with the power of AI, you can achieve new levels of productivity, creativity, and leadership.
Related: Mind the (Generational) Gap: Bridge the AI Divide with Your Expertise
Related: Stop Hiding Your AI Use (And Make Your Team Stop, Too)
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Growth mindset expert Diane Flynn shares insights and advice for a more experienced generation of workers who might feel somewhat hesitant to embrace the collaborative superpowers of GenAI.