2 hours ago
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - A Roanoke-based AI strategy consultant warns that up to 35% of Virginia jobs could be impacted by artificial intelligence. She is training business leaders worldwide on how to proactively adapt to these changes.
Lynda Foster, founder of Cortex Leadership Consulting, operates from the CoLab in Roanoke. Her company provides AI strategic training to business leaders, emphasizing the use of AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement.
‘AI is going to lead you’
Foster cautions that workers who do not intentionally engage with AI risk losing control over the technology.
“Well, if you’re not careful, AI is going to lead you. You’re not going to lead it,” Foster said. “Get into a habit of learning.”
Virginia jobs at risk
Based on Foster’s research, as many as 35% of jobs in Virginia could be affected by AI. The professional services, information, and management sectors are expected to face the greatest impact.
She advises workers to stay ahead by identifying their strengths and learning how AI can support their roles.
“I think AI can really augment great human output. So if someone’s really good at their job, it can advance that,” Foster explained.
The human factor
To prevent what Foster calls “AI Slop,” she stresses that the human element must remain integral in AI-assisted work, highlighting that human experience and perspective cannot be replicated by AI.
Foster encourages workers to ask themselves key questions as AI becomes more prevalent in the workplace.
“So what’s really important is to go, what have I learned? What are my skill sets? How does that transfer to the new age of work? Well, you know the best way to find that out? AI knows the most about AI,” Foster said.
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