In this episode Dr. Sharon hosts Dr. Yvonne Thayer, a thought leader in workforce development. They delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the modern workforce. Yvonne outlines how AI, which has its roots in the 1950s, is now rapidly reshaping industries through big data, machine learning, and deep learning. Thayer emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a partnership and sophisticated tool rather than a job eliminator. The discussion also touches on misconceptions about AI, the necessity of adaptability and flexibility, and the implications for various sectors including sales, medical, and construction. The conversation concludes with advice for career development professionals on preparing individuals for an AI-driven future, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, upskilling, and understanding the evolving role of AI in different fields.

More about Dr. Thayer:

Dr. Yvonne Thayer is a career educator – having worked as a teacher, in school district leadership, as a policy analyst and state director of adult education for the Virginia Department of Education, and with national and federal school improvement initiatives throughout the United States. For the last decade, Yvonne’s consulting work with states, colleges and universities has focused on training and developing workers for the transforming workplace – including responding to the more recent fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, while preparing workers to be flexible and adaptable.

Her ongoing research on the future of work led to co-authoring a book with Canadian Professor Saul Carliner and U.S. corporate executive Margaret Driscoll, entitled Career Anxiety: Guidance Through Tough Times. Look for their podcast on artificial intelligence, which will be available to the human resources community in the Summer of 2025.

Yvonne received her doctorate in adult education from Columbia University and her coaching certification from the International Coach Academy.

Resource

• Gartner