Good morning everyone!
A few weeks ago, I delivered a talk about the future of work, AI, and how it’s transforming our profession.
Whether we like it or not, AI brings uncertainty — but it also opens the door to incredible possibilities.
I shared 10 practical actions that every professional can start today to future-proof their career and stay relevant in the age of AI. The first four focus on learning and practicing AI:
1️⃣ Don’t wait. Start now
There will never be a “perfect” moment to master AI. Begin today — experiment, explore, and stay curious. Momentum beats perfection every time.
2️⃣ Identify your most frequent tasks
Look at what you do repeatedly — reports, summaries, scheduling — and ask: Can AI help me here? Automate what drains your time so you can focus on what truly matters.
3️⃣ Implement AI on these tasks
Apply AI to those tasks. Use ChatGPT or similar tools to draft reports, analyze budgets, or simulate risks. Real learning comes from doing — not just reading or taking courses.
4️⃣ Anticipate: what you do today, AI may do tomorrow
Stay alert to trends and imagine how your work could evolve with AI. Anticipating change instead of reacting to it keeps you ahead of the curve — prepared, not surprised.
Now, beyond tools and technology, the next steps are about you — the human at the center of all change:
5️⃣ Expand to new types of projects
Diversify your portfolio. My journey — from construction to IT, the UN, consulting, and education — taught me that adaptability reduces risk and multiplies opportunity.
6️⃣ Get ready to change
Change is uncomfortable, but growth never happens in the comfort zone. The faster we embrace it, the more control we gain.
7️⃣ Combine tech expertise with human skills
Empathy, communication, creativity, and ethics will define tomorrow’s leaders. AI can replicate logic, not connection. (Small spoiler: I’m working on a “Periodic Table of Human Abilities” to map these skills — stay tuned!)
8️⃣ Be resilient: fail fast, adjust mindfully
Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. When something doesn’t work, adapt quickly and move forward. Agility is your strongest ally.
9️⃣ Adapt
Like a chameleon, adjust to your environment. Adaptation isn’t losing who you are — it’s evolving to stay relevant.
🔟 Manage fear
Fear is natural, but courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s moving forward despite it.
The visual I’m sharing here captures these 10 ideas beautifully.
Thank you, Daniel Lança Perdigão, for translating them so brilliantly into this image.
Consider printing it for your desk or sharing it with someone who feels overwhelmed by the speed of change. 🚀
The best way to face the future is with knowledge, curiosity, and courage.
Next week, if time allows, I’ll share my Periodic Table of Human Abilities in Times of AI.
Have a wonderful week ahead! 😍
Ricardo
#ProjectManagement #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #ChangeManagement #RicardoVargas
A few weeks ago, I delivered a talk about the future of work, AI, and how it’s transforming our profession.
Whether we like it or not, AI brings uncertainty — but it also opens the door to incredible possibilities.
I shared 10 practical actions that every professional can start today to future-proof their career and stay relevant in the age of AI. The first four focus on learning and practicing AI:
1️⃣ Don’t wait. Start now
There will never be a “perfect” moment to master AI. Begin today — experiment, explore, and stay curious. Momentum beats perfection every time.
2️⃣ Identify your most frequent tasks
Look at what you do repeatedly — reports, summaries, scheduling — and ask: Can AI help me here? Automate what drains your time so you can focus on what truly matters.
3️⃣ Implement AI on these tasks
Apply AI to those tasks. Use ChatGPT or similar tools to draft reports, analyze budgets, or simulate risks. Real learning comes from doing — not just reading or taking courses.
4️⃣ Anticipate: what you do today, AI may do tomorrow
Stay alert to trends and imagine how your work could evolve with AI. Anticipating change instead of reacting to it keeps you ahead of the curve — prepared, not surprised.
Now, beyond tools and technology, the next steps are about you — the human at the center of all change:
5️⃣ Expand to new types of projects
Diversify your portfolio. My journey — from construction to IT, the UN, consulting, and education — taught me that adaptability reduces risk and multiplies opportunity.
6️⃣ Get ready to change
Change is uncomfortable, but growth never happens in the comfort zone. The faster we embrace it, the more control we gain.
7️⃣ Combine tech expertise with human skills
Empathy, communication, creativity, and ethics will define tomorrow’s leaders. AI can replicate logic, not connection. (Small spoiler: I’m working on a “Periodic Table of Human Abilities” to map these skills — stay tuned!)
8️⃣ Be resilient: fail fast, adjust mindfully
Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. When something doesn’t work, adapt quickly and move forward. Agility is your strongest ally.
9️⃣ Adapt
Like a chameleon, adjust to your environment. Adaptation isn’t losing who you are — it’s evolving to stay relevant.
🔟 Manage fear
Fear is natural, but courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s moving forward despite it.
The visual I’m sharing here captures these 10 ideas beautifully.
Thank you, Daniel Lança Perdigão, for translating them so brilliantly into this image.
Consider printing it for your desk or sharing it with someone who feels overwhelmed by the speed of change. 🚀
The best way to face the future is with knowledge, curiosity, and courage.
Next week, if time allows, I’ll share my Periodic Table of Human Abilities in Times of AI.
Have a wonderful week ahead! 😍
Ricardo
#ProjectManagement #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #ChangeManagement #RicardoVargas