Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere — from how we write emails to how we analyze data and make decisions at work. While AI brings exciting possibilities, it also raises some very real questions.  

According to the Pew Research Center, 52% of workers say they’re worried about how AI might be used in the workplace in the future. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. 

Big technological shifts have always changed the way we work. Think about email, spreadsheets or smartphones. Each reshaped jobs in ways we couldn’t fully predict at the time. AI is no different. What’s becoming clear, though, is that this moment may be less about jobs disappearing and more about evolving jobs. 

From job security to career adaptability 

AI is already showing up in everyday work. Tools that help draft content, summarize information or analyze complex data are becoming common across industries. Not surprisingly, reactions are mixed. Some people feel anxious about job security. Others feel energized by the new possibilities AI offers.  

What’s emerging isn’t a story of humans versus machines, but one of humans working alongside AI. Across fields, professionals are finding ways to use AI as a support tool. 

In many ways, AI skills are beginning to resemble spreadsheet skills in the 1990s. At first, only a small number of professionals used them. Over time, they became an expected part of everyday work.  

That’s why adaptability matters more than ever. The professionals who tend to thrive are those who stay curious, experiment with new tools and remain open to learning, even when things feel unfamiliar. 

Why AI literacy matters 

Even though AI is advancing quickly, many workers are still figuring it out. Today, only about a third of workers say AI skills are very important to their jobs — but that’s expected to change as tools become more common. 

The good news is that employers aren’t expecting everyone to become programmers. What they’re really looking for is AI literacy: understanding what AI can and can’t do, knowing how to ask good questions, evaluating results thoughtfully and using tools responsibly. That means skills like clear prompting, critical thinking, ethical awareness and recognizing when human judgment matters most.  

For many people, experimenting with AI leads to practical benefits — saving time on routine tasks, working through information faster and generating ideas more easily. In turn, that creates more space for the parts of work that rely on creativity, empathy and strategic thinking: areas where humans continue to add the most value.  

AI will continue to shape the future of work, even if the exact path isn’t clear yet. What is clear is that careers will increasingly favor people who are willing to learn, adapt and rethink how they work alongside new technologies.  

Wondering how AI fits into your life and its potential at OSU and beyond? Join us at these virtual events.

AI Week 2026 | April 13-17 

What Do We Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence? (Exclusively for OSU Alumni Association members – join now!) | April 28 | 5:30 p.m. 

Opting Out of AI | April 30 | 12 p.m. 

AI and Privacy: What you should know | May 6 | 12 p.m.