I’ve found it helpful to consolidate my ‘on the fly’ workplace learning around AI, LLMs, and chatbots with structured study of prompting techniques and LLM capabilities. The Vanderbilt University (via Coursera) courses by Jules White have been exceptionally helpful for mastering a wide range of prompting techniques and opening up AI possibilities. I found that these three courses make for a very complete core program: Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT, ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis, OpenAI GPTs: Creating Your Own Custom AI Assistants.
If you are not using ‘frontier model’ AI like chatGPT4o or Claude 3.5 regularly and deeply at work, I’d pair this with Ethan Mollick’s advice to spend a solid 10 hours immersed in exploration of one of these advanced AI models to really begin to understand current capabilities and limitations. (This is free exploration of topics and techniques relevant to you – time spent on the courses is a different experience. Both are important.)
I’d also recommend this approach if you are off to a later start with AI: this combination of learning + experience would be a great way to catch up with current AI career ‘table stakes’ and approach the next 2-3 years with confidence.