A different view by Jaime Porta

When computers first arrived in our workplaces, many feared they would make people obsolete. But those who embraced the change learned to work smarter. Then came emails, PowerPoint, and conference calls. Same story. New tools, new ways of working.

Now we face a new shift: AI.

But this time, it’s different. And bigger.

People need to learn how to interact with it effectively, starting with how to write clear, goal-oriented prompts. It’s a new kind of digital literacy, and mastering it will be essential in tomorrow’s workplace. Writing good prompts is important, but it’s not everything. What truly matters is having a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Prompts are just tools; without direction, even the best-crafted prompt won’t get you far. It’s the combination of both that unlocks real value.

Tools like ChatGPT are no longer just about automating tasks, they’re reshaping how we think and work. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about enabling them to focus on higher-value work. But here’s the catch: AI can do the “how,” but you still need to know the “what” and, more importantly, the “why.”

Knowing how to write an email, build a presentation, or structure a plan used to be essential. Now, AI can do all that in seconds. The real skill? Knowing what you want to achieve, and learning how to guide the AI to help you get there.

This isn’t a competition between humans and machines. It’s a mindset shift. Those who understand that AI is a capability to be managed, not a threat to be fought, will move faster, go further, and stay relevant. Those who resist? They might find themselves on the wrong side of history, just like those who thought emails and PowerPoints were the endgame.

We’re not expected to outwrite or outthink AI. We’re expected to work with it, directing it with clarity and purpose.

And that’s the new challenge: less about doing, more about directing.