The ultimate AI skill has nothing to do with tech

We’re living in an AI-powered world. The way we are communicating with technology and each other is changing. A recent study found that 40% of respondents were studying English to mitigate the impact of AI and technology on their jobs. English proficiency is emerging as a top asset in today’s business landscape. It is spoken by almost one in every five people on Earth and has solidified its position as the de facto global language.  

However, it’s not just the language of business; English is also the internet’s primary tongue. That’s why it’s the learning ground for AI, and its main mode of communication, with AI developers typically training their models on English-language data. This makes it the most crucial “programming language” in AI, overtaking computer languages such as Python. With AI changing the nature of work and our daily lives, how can we utilize English to help us navigate the shifting tides? 

Decoding AI  

AI refers to a machine’s ability to emulate the behaviors and outcomes we typically associate with human intelligence. The most common form an average person uses today is generative AI technology based on large language models (LLM). These models can understand and generate human language text by processing vast amounts of digital data.

LLMs use prompt engineering, a concept that originated among English speakers and was developed in English. They are steeped in English from conception and still a lot of the language data, performance, accuracy benchmarks, and experiments, including training and refining, are happening in English.  

LLMs have many positive applications across industries, benefiting businesses and employees alike, from lending the marketing department a hand in content generation to aiding the operations team with task automation, and providing the sales division with sentiment analysis. Automating tasks enables people to spend more time on the cerebral aspects of their professions, analysis, and strategic thinking.  

Nevertheless, businesses integrating AI must implement robust AI governance to mitigate potential security, safeguard risks, and uphold ethical principles. For that reason, it’s vital to invest in accurate data sets to avoid risks around prompt manipulation that can provide inaccurate or misleading information. Implementing input filtering, conducting system audits, and recognizing AI’s current limitations are equally important. 

Crossing the chasm  

Despite LLMs behind popular chatbots being capable of responding in multiple dialects they still “think” in English. This bias stems from their training data, which favors English-centric concepts. Researchers have found the path of processing almost always passes via what they call the “English subspace.” Therefore, English proficiency helps to bridge the gap between individuals and the ever-evolving world of AI and technology as they can better understand and engage in these transitions. 

In this new world, you don’t just need the technical know-how. Those well-versed in English will be better equipped to cross the chasm between us and the technological realm. English fluency breaks down barriers to AI and enables accelerated adoption, access, and collaboration opportunities, especially as pivotal research on AI is frequently published in English. 

A no-code future 

English-speaking people and organizations will have more of a competitive edge as they can more easily become early adopters of new technologies. The reason for this is simple: AI operates in English, creating the possibility of a “no-code future.” Instead of coding languages, we can simply prompt AI in plain English to program innovative applications and tools. This would mean anyone could do this, whether technical or not. English won’t be the only language we’ll be able to do this, but it will be the first and the most widely used. 

English enables organizations to join disruptive technologists on the ground as new AI tools are being developed. So, if you’re an aspiring AI enthusiast, you don’t need to become a coding expert; simply having a strong grasp of English will create an easier entry point to learn and develop.  

Career resilience  

A lot of people fear AI will take our jobs. While there’s no doubt AI will automate and displace some repetitive work, it can’t replace human creativity. But it’s not as smart as we think it is—at least, not yet. The AI systems most of us are familiar with like ChatGPT don’t always get it right. We can’t blindly trust it and still need human critical thinking skills to decide whether what AI feeds us is reliable or not.  

That being said, it’s clear that employees need a level of AI savvy to avoid disruption. Being proficient in English is becoming increasingly essential in supporting that. Not only does it help us understand AI better, but it can also future-proof your career by broadening networks and making it easier to collaborate with international partners in our increasingly globalized world.  

With human connection and communication holding greater significance than ever, speaking a widely spoken language opens up doors to new opportunities. Likewise, with advanced technologies entering the workforce, English proficiency enables people to collaborate and problem-solve more effectively.  

As the future of work becomes increasingly uncertain, learning English is considered a safe bet. This is backed by a study revealing that 85% of respondents believe English is a vital skill for professional success. The same study found 88% of employees think that the importance of English will continue to grow in the next five years.  

We’re witnessing a paradigm shift. Previously we talked to computers in code, now we communicate with them through a natural language, primarily English. The symbiosis between AI and the English Language is profound. By learning English, individuals enhance their ability to communicate with AI systems and also gain insight into the language that shapes AI cognition.

Speaking English allows us to communicate with people worldwide, to connect on a human level, and to interrogate and develop new AI tools. In the age of AI, the ultimate skill is English, arguably the most accessible programming language to date.  

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