How AI is Transforming and Challenging Career Management
During my morning commute to Porto Business School, I was listening to McKinsey’s podcast reflecting on the year 2024. According to the hosts, this year has once again been shaped by the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence—its influence on our lives has been transformative, and it will undoubtedly continue to grow.
As the new Director of Careers at our school, I found myself contemplating the immense potential of this technological revolution, as well as the challenges it poses if its use isn’t carefully balanced with a human touch. Without proper calibration, AI could become a dangerous trap for students and professionals alike.
Here’s what I’ve been reflecting on: AI has unlocked incredible possibilities, such as breaking down language barriers, streamlining the creation of CVs and application processes, and enabling companies and job opportunities to be identified and contacted with unparalleled speed and precision. These are tremendous advantages that we should all embrace.
However, recruitment teams are already raising concerns. Many applications they receive are strikingly similar, lacking individuality, and upon further inspection, a significant number are found to have been generated using AI tools. This results in recruitment processes overflowing with applications that fail to showcase the uniqueness of each candidate.
With this in mind, my advice is simple: in managing our careers and applying for jobs, it’s becoming increasingly important to show that we are not only adept at using AI tools but also advocates for their effective use within our teams. At the same time, it’s crucial to balance AI’s capabilities with the personalization and context that only human input can provide. This combination may well be the deciding factor in standing out and being selected.
Article by Ricardo Carneiro