The Skills of the Future

Preparing Boys To Be Competent in a World Transformed by AI and Emerging Technologies

In a world where artificial intelligence can write symphonies, drive cars, and diagnose illnesses, what does it mean to be competent, skillful, and human? The future demands a new approach to educating our youth, one that embraces the potential of technology without losing sight of the timeless virtues that make us uniquely human. It's time to explore a transformative path that equips boys with the wisdom, character, and skills they'll need to thrive in a landscape forever altered by innovation.

Let's get down to brass tacks and dive into these pressing questions:

• How is AI rewriting the job description of being human?

• What separates tools, skills, and knowledge, and why does it matter?

• What character, durable, and hard skills should we be betting on?

• How can schooling morph to serve a world in flux?

• What's the VR/AR revolution got to do with learning?

Artifical Intelligence (A.I.)

AI might not replace your job but you will be replaced by someone who knows how to use it.

A.I. is here and it is here to stay. We might take some time in the future to do a deep dive into it but for today, just believe me when I say that it is going to change the world. For a quick overview, it is currently able to do 3 things:

1. Perceive: This is where A.I. truly shines. Perceiving means recognizing, analyzing, and understanding the world around us, and A.I. does this with a flair that's beyond human capability in some respects. Think about facial recognition or analyzing medical images with precision. It's not just looking at the world; it's really seeing it in ways we can only imagine. This enables more accurate decision-making, better customization, and enhances our interaction with the environment.

2. Produce: A.I.'s ability to produce is all about action and implementation. Whether it's writing a symphony, manufacturing a car part, or creating a 3D model for a new building, A.I. can turn data and ideas into tangible outputs. It can innovate and create, bringing concepts to life in a fraction of the time it might take a human. And this isn't just replication – we're talking about original creation, adapting to changes, and even improvisation.

3. Plan: The world is complex, but A.I. makes it navigable. With its capacity to sift through vast amounts of data and discern patterns, A.I. can plan with a degree of sophistication that can outstrip human capacity. From optimizing supply chain logistics to crafting personalized learning paths for students, A.I.'s ability to plan is transforming industries. It thinks strategically, anticipates challenges, and offers solutions that are both efficient and effective.

Friends, we're at the dawn of something incredible. A.I.'s ability to perceive, produce, and plan isn't just about machines doing human tasks. It's about enhancing our potential, breaking through limitations, and opening doors to possibilities we might not even have dreamed of.

There is also a ton of potential risk that we won’t get into today. But, in general, I am an optimist - maybe I shouldn’t be.

Regardless, it is here and it’s here to stay. It is a tool that we need to learn to leverage.

Tools vs Skills vs Knowledge

This distinction is important because the future is not necessarily about what you know but how well you can apply it to solve a problem. And the harder the problem that you can help solve, the more valuable you will be to the marketplace.

• Tools:

  • Definition: Tools refer to physical or digital instruments, devices, or software used to perform specific tasks or functions.

  • Examples: A hammer, a computer, graphic design software.

  • Characteristics: Tools are external to the individual and can be utilized by anyone with the requisite skills and knowledge to operate them.

• Skills:

  • Definition: Skills are the learned abilities to carry out specific tasks with competence, often gained through practice, experience, or training.

  • Examples: Critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, coding.

  • Characteristics: Skills require development and refinement and can be both "hard" (specific to a particular job or task) or "soft" (transferable between different contexts, such as teamwork or adaptability).

• Knowledge:

  • Definition: Knowledge is the understanding or awareness of facts, information, concepts, or principles, often gained through study, experience, or education.

  • Examples: Knowledge of history, understanding of scientific principles, familiarity with a programming language.

  • Characteristics: Knowledge can be both theoretical (understanding concepts) and practical (knowing how to apply those concepts). It forms the foundation upon which skills are built and is essential for the effective use of tools.

In summary:

• Tools are the instruments used.

• Skills are the abilities to use those instruments and knowledge effectively.

• Knowledge is the understanding that informs the use of both tools and skills.

In the context of preparing for the future, recognizing these distinctions allows for a more targeted and effective approach to education and training. Tools may change rapidly with technological advancements, but the development of enduring skills and foundational knowledge enables individuals to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

With search indexes like Google and now AI - knowledge work has fundamentally changed and time spent in education should move from information retention to skill allocation - with an emphasis on durable skills that we see as being as least resistant to change.

Skills - Character vs Durable vs hard

Character: In my opinion, the most important skills that need to be addressed in our education are character skills. This is something we’ve discussed before but character is the primary driving force of our success in life. I think Brett Ledbetter does the best at articulating this in sports - speech in the following video:

In summary, his equation of ‘character drives the process which drives results’ I think is spot on. He even details what he thinks are the most important character traits. However, for us and the ADKR model we’ve put together, we think the following are what we’d prioritize for a boy:

• Courage

• Honor

• Responsibility

• Integrity

• Self-Control

• Toughness

What’s that spell!? (In a cheer-leading voice) - C.H.R.I.S.T - which connects to our mission of training and affirming boys to be competent men with Christ-like character.

If you can get the right beliefs, values, and character in place in the individual - then you can develop what I believe to the be second most valuable skills which are the durable or soft skills.

Soft Skills: Durable or soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to interact harmoniously and effectively with others. These skills are often transferable across various jobs and industries, as they relate more to a person's emotional intelligence, character, and personal interaction rather than specific technical abilities tied to a particular task. Durable or soft skills are often seen as timeless and adaptable. They continue to be valuable across different contexts and technological changes. Some examples include Communication, problem-solving, leadership, emotional intelligence, etc… In a rapidly changing world, where specific tools and technologies might become obsolete, durable or soft skills remain relevant and essential. They help individuals navigate interpersonal relationships, adapt to new situations, and generally succeed in various professional and personal environments.

Hard Skills: These are technical or specialized abilities that are specific to a particular job or industry. They can be clearly defined, taught, and measured, and often require formal education, training, or experience to acquire. Hard skills are often concrete and tied to a specific task or function. They can be tested and quantified, and they typically require the use of specific tools or technology.

• Examples:

  • Programming Languages: Such as Python, Java, or C++.

  • Machine Operation: The ability to operate specific machinery or equipment.

  • Accounting: Knowledge of financial principles and practices.

  • Foreign Languages: Proficiency in a language other than one's native tongue.

  • Medical Procedures: Skills related to performing specific medical tasks or diagnoses.

Hard skills are essential for performing the specific functions and responsibilities of a particular job or role. They are often the basis for job qualifications and are usually what employers look for when hiring for specialized positions. While hard skills are specific and technical, soft (or durable) skills are more general and interpersonal. Hard skills might get you the job, but soft skills help you work well with others and adapt to changes in your environment.

In a modern work environment, a combination of hard and soft skills is often required. Hard skills enable employees to perform specific tasks, while soft skills allow them to collaborate, communicate, and adapt to changes. As technology evolves, certain hard skills may become obsolete, while others emerge, making ongoing learning and adaptation crucial in many fields.

The Skills of the Future:

Character skills are C.H.R.I.S.T. Below are the durable and hard skills that we foresee the need to train to (excluding specifics from our ADKR model).

Durable:

• Storytelling and communication

• Collaboration, leadership, and community building

• Ethics, sense-making, and cognitive load management

• Problem-solving and creativity

• Digital fluency, computational thinking, and media literacy

• Adaptive thinking and growth mindset (Transdisciplinary Thinking)

Hard Skills:

The answer I’ll give for this is the best hard skill is the skill that the individual is most interested in pursuing. However, I will share some of the roles and industries that I believe will still have high value in the next 20 years.

• Building (construction and any kind of engineers)

• Medical professions

• Computer Scientists (Especially Data Experts)

• Lawyers (although AI will greatly support this role)

• PR, Branding, and Marketing

• Research Scientists

• Manufacturing Expertise

• Clergymen

• Experience Expertise (Think restaurants and parties)

• Designers (Tools will change but an eye for design will still be necessary)

• Pro Athletes and Coaches

• Leaders

• Entrepreneurs

• Chefs

• Politicians

Rethinking Education: A Radical Shift

Here's the bombshell: traditional education is backward. We need a paradigm shift that centers on character and durable skills. Let learning be self-driven, experiential, and steeped in real-life feedback.

Stay tuned: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT on a new education initiative we have coming soon!

Friends, the time for change is now. We must embrace the potential of technology, the timeless virtues that make us human, and the transformative path that equips our youth with the wisdom and skills to thrive.

Keep questioning, keep learning, and above all, keep adapting. The future is not just coming; it's here.

Train. Disciple. Encourage.