Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

FOBO, or fear of becoming obsolete, is the new business buzzword. Here's what you need to know.

Jan 27, 2025 - businessinsider.com
FOBO, or the fear of becoming obsolete, is a growing concern among employees as AI advances rapidly, outpacing reskilling efforts. At Davos, business leaders emphasized the importance of reverse mentoring and targeted upskilling to keep employees relevant. Gallup polling shows an increase in FOBO, with 22% of US workers worried about job obsolescence due to technology. Singapore's president highlighted the need for continuous investment in workers to ensure AI complements rather than replaces their skills. Experts like Ravin Jesuthasan stress the ROI benefits of strategic upskilling, urging companies to identify tasks AI will replace and retrain employees accordingly.

Infosys' CTO, Rafee Tarafdar, shared the success of their in-house learning platform, which offers Gen AI courses and incentives for completion. The platform's flexibility allows employees to learn anytime, anywhere. Tarafdar emphasized differentiating employees based on their AI usage—consumers, creators, and builders—to tailor upskilling effectively. Reverse mentoring is suggested to bridge the age gap, with younger workers helping senior colleagues adapt to modern technology. Ultimately, individuals must take initiative in their learning to avoid redundancy, as companies can only provide resources and opportunities.

Key takeaways:

  • FOBO, or the fear of becoming obsolete, is a growing concern among employees due to rapid AI advancements.
  • Business leaders emphasize the importance of reverse mentoring and targeted upskilling to keep employees relevant in the AI-driven workplace.
  • Companies should strategically identify tasks that AI will replace and retrain employees to adapt and drive growth.
  • Infosys' success with its in-house learning platform highlights the effectiveness of tailored AI courses and incentive programs for employee upskilling.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!