Welcome to the Fifth Industrial Revolution: Are You READY?

My name is Dan Sodergren, and I'm here to dscuss on this blog iabout something that's not just on the horizon but is already shaping our world:

The Fifth Industrial Revolution.

And trust me, you might already be living in it. I wrote the book about it all many months sgo. And now this time is here. IThis is what I do my trainings and talks on the future of work and AI. Where I "Authenically Inspire" my audience and try to teach them something new. But... As Socrates famously said,

"I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think."

And if Socrates couldn't directly teach, who am I to try? My goal with my inspriational talks is to make you think. Abraham Lincoln also had some wisdom to share on this:

"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six hours sharpening my axe."

We have to sharpen our axes, our minds for the revolution. I will add my own quote in here

"With the right people and the right technology, you can take over the world. Without them, that world takes over you."

I said that back in 2015, and it's more relevant now than ever. I've been a tech futurist, a speaker, and an entrepreneur. I've founded companies in augmented reality, HR tech, and even an environmental company. One of my co adventures, JustTaxi, went up against Uber. I learned firsthand that without the right people and technology, the world will indeed take you over.

The Future of Work is About What You Love

People often ask me about AI replacing jobs. But I see it differently. The future of work isn't about what you think or what you feel; it's about what you love. If we're passionate about what we do, we'll be in a great position for The Fifth Industrial Revolution.

It's what my TedxTalk is all about.

But what can we ALL do, right now, to help us at work. Especially when using AI. We can change the way we think about AI. Think of AI as...

AI: Your Automated Intern

Think of AI as an automated intern. You wouldn't give your most critical, client-facing work to an intern without supervision, would you? The same goes for AI. It's a powerful tool, but it needs guidance.

You need to train it, check its work, and you should be willing to pay for a good one. The cost of running powerful AI models means that free versions might eventually rely on advertising, which could change their utility.

What Can AI Do for You?

Heavy Lifting: Yes, let AI handle the grunt work.
Decision Support: It can provide valuable insights to inform your decisions.
Creativity: AI can be a great partner in the creative process.

However, AI can't think, judge, or care. It cannot replace the human intelligence in this room. That judgment is uniquely yours.

Navigating the Path of AI Integration

It's crucial for organizations to have safeguards and policies around AI usage. We want to avoid a chaotic, unregulated world of AI, but we also don't want a future where centralized power becomes too dominant. Finding the narrow, safe path is key. Having a structured AI policy is a sensible approach.Just like you would have a training session in place for a new intern.

The Energy of AI: Human and Environmental

Many are concerned about the energy consumption of AI. Let's break it down. While some American bosses believe AI will double productivity growth in three years—a bit of an overstatement in my opinion—it's important to consider the human energy involved. Managing AI takes a cognitive load; it's a new leadership skill we must develop.

Now, for the environmentalists in the room. I'm one of you. My first company was an environmental one. Let's put the water footprint of AI into perspective.

A thousand ChatGPT queries use about a gallon of water. Compare that to an hour of streaming television (4 times worse), a glass of almond milk (23 times worse), or a single beef burger (600 times worse).

There are a thousand things we do that are far more detrimental to the environment. We could prompt our AIs more efficiently, use them primarily for work, or even reduce our meat consumption. Not buying a new iPhone for a year would more than offset the energy use of your AI activities.

The Fifth Industrial Revolution has the potential to be the greenest revolution yet. It can optimize logistics, reduce waste in supply chains, and lead to more sustainable practices. The environmental cost of AI is minuscule compared to the potential savings it can bring.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

The way we look at things is key here. And this brings us to the heart of the matter: emotional intelligence. Our human psychology is more important than AI technology. As Einstein, who shares my birthday, said,

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

So it is staggering that 54% of organizations don't have an AI policy. Having one can double your chances of achieving productivity gains of over 20%. Why? Because great things are never done by one person; they're done by a team of people who have a clear understanding of the rules and goals. An AI policy provides that clarity and builds trust.

Trust, Training, and Transparency

To successfully integrate AI, you need to invest in:

Trust: This requires effort and investment.
Training: Bring your people along on the journey.
Transparency: Be open about how and why you are using AI.

Conclusion

The Fifth Industrial Revolution is here, and it's about much more than just technology. It's a human-centric revolution that calls for us to be more emotionally intelligent, creative, and adaptable. By embracing AI as a tool, focusing on our human strengths, and fostering a culture of trust and transparency, we can not only survive but thrive in this new era.

The future of work is not about being replaced by machines; it's about being empowered by them to do what we love. Which was what my TedxTalk in 2022 was all about...