In the past the acquisition of knowledge was critical. We even had the saying “knowledge is power” but that is no longer the case. Anything you want to know is just an internet search away. As AI increasingly becomes part of our lives all knowledge, and even the interpretation of that knowledge will be there at the click of a button, or just a voice request. Knowledge is no longer power, but application is.
This brings us to a new version of the “knowledge based economy” the “knowledge application economy.” Showing an employer or client that you have knowledge, even highly complex and technical knowledge is of little value and even less use. What is wanted in the modern world are people who can apply that knowledge in new and innovative ways. That’s what is attracting the big bucks now and will even more in the future. This means that we need to rethink how people are educated and trained and, most importantly, how we develop teams and leaders. I can get hold of any knowledge you may have in the twinkling of an eye, there’s no point trying to protect it. What you do need to protect is your “know why” not your “know how”.
Despite this, so many of our education institutions still take the lazy, old fashioned way out. They “educate” and test based on the ability of students to regurgitate what they have been taught. Our Universities are up in arms about graduates at all levels using AI to “cheat” but that’s not the case. We want people who use AI, but we want them to use it to produce something original and then apply it in an effective way. We want to see how well knowledge is applied by the individual. the source of that knowledge is irrelevant. That’s much more difficult to test, especially in institutions where the whole system is geared around submitting some sort of exam or thesis. I the real world, however, no employer or client wants to pay to receive a thesis that shows the candidate has knowledge. What is required in the modern world is evidence of application of knowledge and original thinking and how the person hold the knowledge can apply it for the benefit of others.
Crack that and you will be highly valuable. Try to persuade the world that your knowledge has value and you are living in the past.
Effective application is power, and power is valuable.
We help individuals and teams effectively and profitably apply their knowledge using modern scientific methods. If you want to know more then please Contact us.