The Future is NOW! AI, Higher Education and Future Workforce Skills!

Julie A. Shay, MBA-HIN, RHIA, FAHIMA, ACUE, Program Director for the Health Information Technology Management Programs, Santa Fe College

Julie A. Shay, MBA-HIN, RHIA, FAHIMA, ACUE, Program Director for the Health Information Technology Management Programs, Santa Fe College

Julie A. Shay, MBA-HIN, RHIA, FAHIMA, ACUE, is the Health Information Technology Program Director and Professor at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. With 24 years of experience in healthcare business operations, Shay has held leadership roles in physician practices, outpatient rehabilitation, and acute care hospital settings, specializing in managed care contracting, payer relations, and healthcare operations. She has 20 years of academic experience, leading four health information technology programs and co-directed a $1.75M HITECH grant. Under her leadership, the SF HITECH program was ranked #1 in the Southeastern region and #5 nationally for program completers. Passionate about Health Information Technology, she advocates for all to be good data stewards and believes each can shine brightly within their spheres of influence.

Preparing for the AI-Driven Future: Equipping Students with Essential Skills

Where will you be in 10 years? Where will your students be? Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and educators must keep pace. AI is not a new concept, but it represents a paradigm shift that is reshaping both education and industries. This article will identify ways AI-related skills will help students be more prepared as they enter their careers. Also, identify future workforce skills that will assist educators in preparing students for their career journeys.

In March 2023, over 350 technology experts, led by Geoffrey Hinton, signed a letter warning that mitigating AI risks should be a global priority, alongside pandemics and nuclear war (BBC, 2023). Educators are spheres of influence that can and will impact future generations.

AI holds great promise in transforming the learning experience for students. How do you view using artificial intelligence in the classroom? Do you see AI as a tool to help students thrive, or do you fear it? Educators influence how students accept or reject the ethical use of AI which will shape future generations.

Are we teaching the skills that employers require? Are we emphasizing that soft skills—such as communication, empathy, and creativity—are just as important as technical skills? Industry partnerships are crucial to ensure that education aligns with workforce needs and set students up for career success. Are we partnering with the industry to ensure we are meeting their workforce needs? Doing so will highly serve community industry partners and benefit students.

As the World Economic Forum’s Education 4.0 Framework outlines, future education must focus on global citizenship, personalized learning, inclusive education, interpersonal skills, and cross-curricular technology integration. The framework advocates for problem-based and collaborative learning, lifelong learning, and creativity (World Economic Forum, 2024). AI offers numerous benefits, from personalized learning experiences to streamlined administrative tasks. However, AI integration must be done thoughtfully, ensuring that curricula evolve to reflect technological advancements while preparing students to use AI ethically, specifically responsible deployment, data privacy, and equitable access.

The Driving the Skills Agenda report from the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 58% of teachers agree that students often understand technology better than they do. This highlights the fast pace of technological advancement. The OECD’s The Future We Want stresses that digital and data literacy are becoming essential skills as the world rapidly changes. As technology transforms industries, education must become more agile, with a shift from control to engagement and from rigidity to agility. Educators are responsible for creating frameworks for success in an uncertain future (World Economic Forum, 2024).

Technology is reshaping industries, making it essential for students to develop AI-related skills to succeed in the workforce. Not only does this ensure relevance, but it also empowers students to drive efficiency and innovation. By 2025, global spending on digital education will exceed $350 billion, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping education (World Economic Forum, 2021). How are we incorporating AI, SQL, database management, data analytics, and visualization tools like Tableau or SAS into curricula?

The Future Jobs Report 2023 found that key skills for the future include analytical and creative thinking, leadership, curiosity, and adaptability. The report also highlighted that AI and big data knowledge will increasingly become a focus of training. By 2025, 23% of jobs will change, and 44% of workers' core skills will evolve. Critical AI skills for students include machine learning, deep learning, understanding algorithms, data literacy, and programming. Students must learn not only how to interpret data but also how to draw meaningful conclusions and communicate these insights effectively to decision-makers.

Critical thinking and problemsolving abilities will be vital. Students must navigate the complexities of AI, understand its capabilities and limitations, and anticipate the consequences of its use. Ethical decision-making will also become more important as AI continues to evolve. Students must learn to engage with AI responsibly, address ethical dilemmas and adhere to regulatory frameworks.

Interdisciplinary knowledge is another key area. The future workforce will require professionals who can collaborate across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and urban planning. Students must also hone communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The fastestgrowing jobs include AI specialists, business intelligence analysts, data scientists, robotics engineers, and digital transformation experts. These roles demand technical expertise and soft skills that enable professionals to innovate and collaborate effectively.

To prepare students for the AI-driven future, educators should encourage handson projects, internships, AI competitions, and workshops. Collaborations with industry and research institutions will give students practical experience in AI applications. By developing these skills, students will be equipped to meet the challenges of an AI-driven future and take an active role in shaping it.

As educators, we must embrace the ethical use of AI, establish guardrails, and foster a culture of lifelong learning. As educators, let us embrace the ethical guardrails and infrastructure, life learn, lead, and be change agents within the classroom for students to succeed in an AI-driven world.