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How and Why to Boost Your AI Fluency

AI fluency is rapidly becoming essential for consultants, with its presence continually growing across an array of industries. As AI technologies evolve, it is crucial to embrace AI and its various applications. Developing AI fluency empowers individuals and organizations to harness the immense power of AI, driving both innovation and efficiency. Understanding AI enables better decision-making through data-driven insights and customization of solutions to meet specific industry needs.

Bottom line: AI has transcended its role as a buzzword; it's now a game-changer for consultants in the communications and marketing space. Understanding and developing fluency in the AI space will ensure that you’re not only ahead of the technological curve but will position you favorably with current and prospective clients.

In this blog post, we'll explore why boosting your AI fluency is not just a good idea but a necessity, and we'll provide you with practical steps to do just that.

WHY AI FLUENCY MATTERS FOR CONSULTANTS

AI fluency is of paramount importance in the consulting industry for a range of reasons: Becoming fluent in AI tools and technologies as a consultant offers benefits, including:

Competitive advantage: Staying ahead of the curve by understanding AI (and its potential) can set you apart from other consultants in the market. Clients seek expertise, and AI fluency can be a valuable differentiator.

Informed decision-making: AI is transforming businesses' decision-making processes. Consultants with AI fluency can provide clients with data-driven insights, enhancing the quality of their decisions – and the speed at which they deliver their analyses.

Tailored solutions: Fluency in AI allows you to more quickly tailor strategies and solutions to your client’s unique needs, improving the relevance and effectiveness of your recommendations.

Client trust: Demonstrating AI fluency highlights a deeper understanding of the digitally focused future. Clients are more likely to trust your guidance when they know you understand the technologies driving their industry. As AI continues to shape the business landscape, AI fluency is a must for any consultant who aspires to stand out and build and maintain strong client partnerships.

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STRATEGIES TO HELP CONSULTANTS EMBRACE AI

So, we’ve established the importance of why AI fluency matters for consultants, but how does one go about becoming knowledgeable in the AI space? There are a multitude of resources that can ensure consultants are continually learning and leveling up with AI tools. Here are some examples:

  • AI tools and projects: Gain practical experience by seeking projects involving AI. Carve out personal time to experiment with different AI tools too. Depending on the area in which you work, those AI tools could include ChatGPT, Jasper, Adobe Firefly, Adobe Sensei, GrammarlyGO, Midjourney, DALL-E, Surfer SEO, Zapier, and Notion.ai to name a few.
  • Online courses and certifications: Courses and certifications through platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn, edX, Udacity, Codecademy, and the Marketing AI Institute are a great way to learn about new AI tools and topics. Boot camps and certification programs are offered by a number of universities, including MIT, The Ohio State University, and Northwestern. Courses such as "Machine Learning Specialization" and "Deep Learning Specialization" by Andrew Ng are excellent starting points. Another highly beneficial online certification course would be “Career Essentials in Generative AI” by Microsoft and LinkedIn.
  • Join AI Communities: Engage with AI communities and forums such as Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/MachineLearning, or LinkedIn groups focused on AI and machine learning. Networking with experts can help you learn AI and stay updated on the industry
  • Attend AI conferences and webinars: Attend conferences or webinars focused on AI. These events, whether virtual or in-person, expose you to cutting-edge research and practical applications while allowing you to connect with industry experts. Some upcoming virtual conferences include the AI for Marketers Summit (Nov. 15-16, 2023) and the Data Science Salon’s Applying AI & ML to Retail & E-commerce (Jan. 24, 2024).
  • Stay informed: Subscribe to newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube channels dedicated to AI and/or machine learning. This helps you stay updated with the latest trends and breakthroughs.

By combining these approaches, you can boost your AI fluency, becoming better equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI technologies.

PARTNER WITH SIMPLICITY TO FIND AI-FLUENT CONSULTANTS

In today’s digitally focused business world, staying relevant means learning, embracing, and utilizing AI. Boosting your AI fluency is an investment in your career – and the success of your clients. It empowers you to provide tailored, data-driven solutions, and positions you as a trusted advisor in an increasingly AI-focused world. So, take the initiative, commit to learning and applying AI knowledge, and watch your consulting practice thrive.

As a consultant, when you partner with Simplicity, you gain access to a highly supportive community where you can connect and learn from established consulting experts. We offer our consultants professional development opportunities focusing on topics like how to build your professional brand to how to enhance your skills to take you to the next level in your consulting career.

At Simplicity, we’re in the business of matching exceptional marketing, communications, project, and program management consultants with high-impact opportunities. We go beyond your resume to uncover your passions, finding opportunities that align with your drive to make a meaningful impact. Plus, when you partner with us, you’ll enjoy a suite of benefits, including medical insurance, travel reimbursement, 401K options, and paid time off. In order to qualify for health insurance benefits, a consultant must work 30 hours a week. To qualify for 401K options, a consultant must work 500 hours a month. So, if you’re ready to ignite your consulting career, join the Simplicity community today by completing your consultant profile!

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