Today I’d like to tell you about a startup that wants to use AI for purposes other than taking our jobs. Quite the contrary, it will help us find scarce skills and good deals (if everything goes according to plan). There will also be a story about the drop in demand for PCs and the answer why it’s worth learning things that don’t change.
1. AI will scan the job market
I think everyone has now got used to artificial intelligence as a “partner” at work, and at the same time stopped seeing it as a mortal threat. And if not, I’m happy to report on an initiative that wants to use AI to fill gaps in the labor market. In addition, other than replacing humans with code created in still free generators.
StudentFinance is a startup that helps set up income sharing agreements (ISA) to facilitate access to training and internships that prepare you for particular specializations (not to be confused with 3-month bootcamps that promise pie on the sky). The idea sounds interesting, and the company has just raised $41 million in its first round of funding. It’s worth mentioning that the trend of “paying” for one’s education with future income is particularly popular in the United States, and there are many indications that it will only get stronger.
The founders of StudentFinance say they have developed AI models that detect the most in-demand skills in various sectors. They do this by monitoring job openings and analyzing trends and fluctuations in demand. They also track salary data, which can indicate even more.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll be rooting for this initiative – as I would for any initiative that has the potential to support people in achieving their goals instead of taking away their hope. And if AI doesn’t work out for you, you can always take a peek at the latest list of recruiting companies that appeared on Hacker News. The list is completely out of order, but it’s better than nothing.
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2. Learn things with a long expiration date
In reference to the above topic, I would like to cite a great post published on his blog by David Heinemeier Hansson – the creator of Ruby on Rails. His entry is a polemic with all representatives of the technological world, who expect that we should always be up-to-date and flexible to all changes. Hanson argues that investing in things that are stable and sustainable can provide more value in the long run. He points out that many of the world’s most successful companies, such as Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson, have built their success on timeless products and values that don’t change with the latest trends.
Referring directly to IT, he cites the example of Basecamp, his company’s project management software, which has remained relatively unchanged for more than a decade. According to Hansson, Basecamp’s success is built on its core values, such as simplicity and ease of use, which are enduring features that customers appreciate.
Finally, Hansson suggests that investing in things that don’t change is not only a wise business strategy, but also a valuable personal philosophy. He encourages us to focus on developing skills and relationships that will remain relevant and valuable throughout our lives.
I’m curious to know what you think about it! It actually contradicts our love of dynamics, doesn’t it?
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3. Demand for workstations returns to “normal”
What computer are you working on? I bet on a MacBook or other laptop. Meanwhile, news has been coming out of the technology market pretty consistently that the renaissance of venerable PCs is coming back.
In 2022, manufacturers sold 7.7 million workstations, a 2.1% year-on-year increase, setting a new record for the category! This doesn’t mean anything, however, as sales went into a nose-dive in the last quarter, down 22.2% to be more specific. There were also declines in the laptops, tablets and smartphones sector (the latter having the lowest sales levels since 2013).
The global workstation market actually experienced solid demand in a number of industries – the popularity of home office in our industry was no small factor. This performance was also driven by the manufacturing, engineering and media and entertainment sectors. The eldorado ended relatively quickly, however, as companies around the world cut their purchasing budgets, supply chains remain disrupted, and key components were as gone as they were.
Looking from a career perspective, I also see this as a reflection of the increasingly common attitude of employers, which I wrote about in a previous edition of Career Weekly. Why do we need even better home office equipment when 47% of bosses would be happy to see us back in the office at least 2 or 3 days a week?