FROM THE DEAN’S DESK | P.K. AGARWAL, DEAN, UCSC SILICON VALLEY EXTENSION
The rise of AI has sparked both excitement and anxiety. While people in every industry fear technology will replace them, others see it as an accelerator for productivity and innovation. Both things can be true.
The common thread is that you have more control than you think. As the old saying goes, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” In the age of AI, the real insurance policy is choosing to upskill.
Upskilling isn’t becoming a data scientist overnight.
The best investment you can make right now is in yourself. We all need to strengthen the skills that are uniquely ours—the ability to problem-solve, to communicate personally, to create outside the box, and to adapt. The goal is to partner with AI tools, not compete against them. Learn to harness new technology to amplify our own expertise and bring more value to our work.
In a fast-moving world, upskilling is the safest—and smartest—form of insurance you can buy. Every hour spent experimenting with AI tools builds confidence. The dividends may not show up overnight, but they compound. They protect your career in ways you’ll thank yourself for later.
Future-proof your career
Whether you’re in a technical role or a non-technical occupation, UCSC Silicon Valley Extension offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to boost your AI literacy, deepen your technical knowledge, and strengthen those uniquely human skills that set you apart. From hands-on AI workshops to communication and leadership development, our programs are built to meet you where you are and take you further.
3 Tips to start your AI insurance policy
Grow your AI literacy
Take a short course or workshop that explains how AI works, what it can and can’t do, and how it applies in your industry. Knowing the basics builds confidence and opens your eyes to new opportunities. It also reminds you how you’re not alone. We’re all learning.
Strengthen human skills
Communication, storytelling, and critical thinking are more valuable in the AI era, not less. Master the uniquely human skills that machines can’t easily replicate.
Experiment with tools
Play! Block out just 30 minutes a week to test-drive an AI tool—whether it’s for data analysis, content creation, or workflow automation. Familiarity will make adoption effortless. Don’t know where to start? Ask any popular AI model to design a personalized learning plan for you to grow.
A push to evolve
At the end of the day, AI isn’t here to replace us—it’s here to push us to evolve. Just like any good insurance policy, upskilling gives you peace of mind and the confidence to face what’s ahead. The question is not Will AI take my job? but How am I preparing myself to thrive alongside it?
Bonus Tip: Join us at a free info session or event
- Learn to build AI Applications | Monday, Aug. 25 | Virtual
- Data Science and Data Analytics – Fall Info Session | Thursday, Aug. 28 | Virtual
- AI Business Practices Fall Info Session | Tuesday, Sept. 9 | Virtual
- Insights from AI & Semiconductor Leaders | Tuesday, Sept. 16 | In-Person
- AI Tools for Business Panel & Networking | Thursday, Sept. 18 | In-Person
I’d love to hear how you are investing in your own AI insurance policy. Any advice for the novices among us? Please comment!