Research suggests that technology professionals should focus on developing foundational, transferable skills, especially around ethics, critical thinking and communication, to make themselves more marketable to employers in the age of A.I. But here's the thing, claiming to have these skills isn’t enough.

You need to study and actually apply what you learn to demonstrate mastery of the key concepts and skills that will establish you as someone who can succeed in the rapidly evolving era of A.I.

With that as a backdrop, here are some ways to master several of the most valuable transferable skills that employers are looking for in 2024 and beyond.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

The ability to think critically, analyze information and evaluate different perspectives is crucial to solving problems and making informed, effective decisions. In fact, critical thinking and problem-solving are intertwined.

To cultivate these skills, Mike Kallet suggests that you start by reading a good book on the subject, but the key is to apply what you learn in stages by honing your questioning skills first. Why?

“You need to get clear about what you’re trying to accomplish or the problem you’re trying to solve, before you do anything else,” noted the CEO of Headscratchers and trainer on critical thinking.

Open-ended questions lead to a clear vision of the problems involved, Kallet explained. Plus, curiosity is a trait of critical thinkers, which will impress hiring managers.

Practice asking thoughtful, effective questions throughout your daily routine like when a stakeholder requests a product modification, you’re writing ChatGPT prompts or even when your family is considering vacation destinations. At the same time, try to view the issue from the other person’s perspective and listen carefully to their answers.

Once the problem is defined, gather and analyze evidence before presenting possible solutions while being aware of any biases you may be bringing to the table. Over time, keep improving your skills while building an inventory of success stories.

Data Literacy

To solve problems strategically and effectively, you’ll also need to be data literate.

In fact, businesses that are prioritizing data-driven decision-making want everyone on board.

The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert—you just need to be comfortable reading, analyzing, interpreting and making informed decisions based on data and communicating those insights to others.

“Becoming fluent in the language of data starts with where you are,” noted Ben Jones, co-founder and CEO of Data Literacy.

For instance, after taking a course to better understand the fundamentals, look for opportunities to consider data inputs or intelligence when executing basic tasks like making the case for extra resources, troubleshooting software problems, creating algorithms to automate decisions, or most importantly, when you’re tasked with solving problems for a specific business unit Jones explained.

If your team is in the beginning stages of data literacy maturity, volunteer to build a data community in your company by organizing a series of lunch and learns and inviting guest presenters to support the steps on your journey Jones suggested.

You can also participate in entry-level, open-source data analysis projects or data challenges to become more comfortable using data as an asset. 

Intellectual Curiosity and Commitment to Continuous Learning

Experts agree that sustaining career growth in the age of A.I. will require technology workers to acquire new skills and perhaps even change occupations entirely.

So how can you adapt to all of these changes by becoming more intellectually curious and committed to continuous learning?

Dr. Rob Yeung, speaker and director at leadership development firm Talentspace, often tells clients to consider the difference between working in your job versus working on your job.

"Part of working on your job means volunteering for cross-team, cross-disciplinary, more strategic work that allows you to develop the leadership and interpersonal skills that will allow you to stay ahead of A.I.,” Yeung added.

Intellectual curiosity is not just about gaining knowledge in your discipline but having breadth of knowledge too he says. Spend time following your interests such as reading about plant biology, other cultures, or psychology which will enhance your ability to acquire new knowledge and process new ideas.

Keep a list of relevant certifications or courses you've completed and the things you want to learn next like machine learning, advanced Python or libraries and frameworks used in developing A.I. applications. Most importantly, make time for learning. Schedule it in. That’s how you foster and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.

A.I. Ethics

The ethical use of A.I. is fundamental to building responsible and fair artificial intelligence systems and machine learning algorithms and ensuring compliance with data privacy laws.

So how can you navigate this complex landscape and prove that you are capable of identifying and addressing ethical challenges as they arise?

Start by familiarizing yourself with the issues advised Dr. Cansu Canca, director of Responsible A.I. Practice for the Institute for Experiential A.I. at Northeastern University.

For instance, find out what we mean by A.I. ethics. What are the concerns, risks and exposures to stakeholders and customers? What are the trade-offs?

Then try to connect the issues with A.I. to the other ethical issues in your industry or the departments you support because they all need to be considered and addressed.

Canca says that most companies have a code of ethics and provide tools or guidelines to help technology pros integrate ethical considerations into their decision making and workflows. Requesting and referencing these tools can help you gain familiarity with the issues involving A.I. and demonstrate competence.

Finally, be aware of when it is appropriate to escalate an issue. “If you encounter a new, complex ethical issue in the course of your work, seek assistance and input from those with more authority and insight,” Canca said.

It’s no wonder that sound judgment and ethical responsibility tops the list of must-have skills for many employers. Best of all, you can apply to any job in any industry.