> How AI-Ready Are You? (Reflection and Self-Assessment)

By Walter Rodriguez, PhD, PE

Grab a pen, or take a quiet moment to reflect on the following questions.

These reflection points will help you gauge where you stand in terms of AI preparedness and where you might need to focus or learn.

There are no right or wrong answers – this is for you:

·        Do you know how AI is being used in your current job or industry? (For example, are you aware of any AI-driven tools or processes in your daily workflow or that your company uses? If not, can you find out?)

·        When was the last time you learned a new digital skill or tool? (Have you tried out any AI-based tools like a chatbot, a voice assistant, or an analytics program in the past year? Staying curious and hands-on is key to building confidence.)

·        Which parts of your work are repetitive or data-heavy, and could you imagine automating them? (List 1–3 tasks you do often that are tedious. These might be areas where AI could help – or might eventually handle. How would you feel about that, and what would you do with the time saved?)

·        Are you actively upskilling or reskilling for the future? (This could be formal, like taking an online course on data analysis or UX design, or informal, like watching YouTube tutorials on a new app. If you haven’t in a while, identify one skill that interests you and aligns with future trends.)

·        How strong are your “human” skills – the ones AI can’t easily replicate? (Think about skills like creativity, critical thinking, empathy, teamwork, and leadership. Give yourself an honest score or assessment. These are the areas to lean into and highlight in your career as automation grows.)

·        Have you considered starting a side project or hustle using your skills (with a little help from AI)? (Not everyone wants a side hustle, which is fine. But if you do, what passion or skill could you monetize, and can AI tools make it easier to start? This could range from freelancing on the side to building a personal brand to consulting gigs. Jot down a couple of ideas, no matter how small.)

Take a look at your responses. They will give you a sense of your AI readiness. You might realize, for example, that you haven’t been keeping up with tech changes in your field – that’s okay, now’s the time to start. Or you might see that you’re doing well in adaptability but could improve in technical know-how (or vice versa). This self-assessment isn’t about inducing worry; it’s about shining a light on where you stand so you can make a plan.

No matter where you are right now, remember that the fact you’re even thinking about these questions is a huge step. Most people are still in “wait and see” mode. But you’re here, getting informed and proactive. That alone sets you apart as someone ready to take control of your career in the age of AI. As we move forward on this path, keep these reflection points in mind. In this blog, we’ll address many of them in detail – from how to learn new AI tools, to boosting those all-important human skills, to finding your niche in an AI-driven economy.

At Coursewell, we delve deeper into building your AI toolkit, explore success stories of people who transitioned roles or started businesses thanks to AI and provide checklists for specific actions (like updating your resume for the AI age, networking in a digital world, and more). By the end of this journey, you’ll not only speak the language of AI, without the jargon, but you’ll have the confidence and plan to ensure your career not only survives but flourishes in this exciting new era.

We will dive deeper each time, so get started.

Remember: AI is a tool, and you are the human driving it. With the right mindset and knowledge, the future is yours to shape. Let’s get started on making you the AI-savvy professional that the future needs.