Chapter 1: Embracing Vulnerability in Tech

I had a moment of intense self-doubt recently while participating in a panel discussion at a Google-sponsored Women in Tech event during San Francisco #TechWeek. The topic revolved around the future of tech careers with a focus on AI, led by the exceptional Elena Lenena.

Unexpectedly, both of my fellow panelists—a female tech CEO and a machine learning specialist—were unable to attend due to unforeseen emergencies. One faced an airplane delay, while the other had to deal with a COVID-positive child. Suddenly, I found myself as the sole speaker in front of an audience eager to hear insights on AI trends.

My confidence wavered. Who was I to conduct a full hour-long session without the support of my fellow panelists, especially in front of a room filled with data scientists, engineers, and VCs? The anxiety was palpable as I feared being ridiculed for my lack of expertise.

In that moment, I took a deep breath, reached out to my business coaching group for encouragement, and reminded myself of my qualifications. I coach tech CEOs, act as a product advisor, and actively use AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney. The truth is, no one is a definitive expert in AI right now; we are all navigating this evolving landscape together.

Here's a summary of my key takeaways from the experience:

Lesson 1: Create Your Own Space

The organizers intentionally limited the audience to 100 attendees, turning away over 200 applicants to foster an intimate, female-only environment. One male attendee was so eager to join that he bypassed security, only to realize he was in a room filled with women. The organizers kindly escorted him out, illustrating that when it’s your event, you have the power to curate the experience.

Lesson 2: Experiment with AI Tools

The panel showcased remarkable ways women have integrated text-based AI, like ChatGPT or Bard, into their professional lives. One woman shared how she utilized AI to streamline her MBA workload significantly. A startup founder mentioned using it for coding efficiency, while another leveraged it to draft legal documents. There’s a transformative shift happening—don’t hesitate to explore these AI technologies yourself!

Lesson 3: Harness AI for Creativity

As a writer, I often turn to ChatGPT for inspiration. For this talk, I asked, "How do AI technologies change businesses and the way we work?" to generate ideas. Midjourney, while slightly less accessible due to its subscription model, allows users to create visuals from simple text prompts.

Lesson 4: Different Perspectives Matter

Several audience members sought effective prompts for AI. A useful approach is to frame a question from various angles, such as, "How can I negotiate my salary?" and then refine it to incorporate different perspectives, like negotiating as a woman of color. This exercise can spark creativity and broaden understanding.

Lesson 5: Community Learning

During the Q&A, someone asked about the future of AI in climate tech, and I momentarily felt overwhelmed. Thankfully, we opened the floor to audience insights, leading to valuable contributions from a CEO in the climate tech sector. This reinforced the importance of community—we can acknowledge our limits and rely on each other for knowledge.

In conclusion, if you've been anxious about AI threatening jobs, rest assured: the human element remains crucial. As with any new technology, we are all learning how to adapt. So, dive in and start exploring!

Hello! I’m Tutti Taygerly, your host. With over 20 years in product design and technology, I’ve led teams at startups, agencies, and large tech firms. After leaving Facebook in 2019, I focused on leadership coaching. I share weekly insights on design and coaching and invite you to learn more about my leadership book, Make Space to Lead.

Chapter 2: The AI Revolution and Future Tech Jobs

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Chapter 3: Looking Ahead: AI and Machine Learning in 2024

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