The November SIOP Work Smart Series workshop — Future-Proofing Careers in the AI Era — was well received by an audience including SIOP members and nonmembers eager to discover more about how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping careers and what individuals can do to stay relevant, adaptable, and future-ready. Session presenters Dr. Kristin Saboe (People Analytics leader at Google), Dr. Jorge Tamayo (Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School), and Scott Reida (Workforce Planning Strategist at Amazon Web Services) joined forces to share their expertise in a highly interactive session. They provided practical approaches and strategies for reskilling and upskilling and examining ways to align personal strengths with evolving organizational needs, empowering participants to build resilience, embrace change, and chart a sustainable career path in an uncertain future.
The workshop explored how individuals can proactively adapt to the accelerating pace of skill change driven by AI. Facilitators introduced the concept of skill decay using the “Flipped Rule of 72,” illustrating how quickly competencies become obsolete and why strategic upskilling is essential. Participants engaged in interactive segments, including a scavenger hunt to identify emerging skills, a process mapping activity to visualize workflow evolution, and a simulation exercise to reflect on skill obsolescence over time. These activities emphasized the importance of viewing roles as dynamic portfolios rather than static job descriptions. Speakers highlighted the critical role of learning agility, AI leadership, and organizational experimentation in navigating the Gen-AI era. Insights from economic research and real-world case studies underscored the need for targeted investments in training, the influence of middle managers on learning uptake, and the value of firm-specific knowledge in AI adoption. The workshop concluded with personal reflection and action planning, encouraging attendees to prioritize high-impact skills, embrace continuous learning, and lead change within their organizations.
Participant responses to the workshop were overwhelmingly positive as 100% of respondents indicated that the session motivated them to apply what they have learned in the session. In addition, 94% of respondents indicated that the workshop was useful to their current needs and that they learned new concepts and ways to think about this topic. An example participant comment includes: “So much great information! I especially like the Framework for choosing where and how to use Gen AI. The grid provides a concrete way to consider how AI could be used.”
For those who were registered attendees, the session recording, all the materials that were shared, and additional resources can all be found at the SIOP Work Smart Resources page. Please note that breakout sessions were not recorded. If you were able to attend live, this is a session you will benefit from revisiting! If you missed this event but are interested in purchasing the recording and resources, please email Robin Ganzel at rganzel@siop.org.
Thank you to Kristin, Scott, and Jorge for so graciously sharing their time and expertise during this impactful workshop.
For more information about sponsoring this SIOP learning channel, please contact Susan Rogers at srogers@siop.org.
Save the Date:
Join us on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 11 AM–2 PM ET for the next Work Smart Series workshop, continuing our exploration of the future of work in the AI era. Registration will open in mid-December. Even if you can’t attend live, all registrants will receive the full recording along with a post‑workshop resource guide featuring Q&A highlights and curated materials to help you apply what you learn.
Post Type
Source
Topic
Events & Education, Work Smart Series, Work Smart Series
