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Artificial intelligence is arriving at breakneck speed, and we all are adapting in real time to how it impacts how we live, learn and work. As an eager student of AI but admitted neophyte, I am making it my goal to become a more proficient AI user in the New Year.
Two questions are very much on my mind. First, how will AI impact entry-level job opportunities for young people graduating from high school or college and seeking their first full-time professional roles? Second, how can my organization take advantage of AI to reduce the burden of time-consuming, routine tasks and free up staff capacity for more value-add projects and activities?
When it comes to student preparation, the good news is that Indiana is an early adopter of AI tools in K-12 education under the leadership of Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and the Indiana Department of Education. A pilot program, made possible by a competitive grant, launched in the 2023-2024 school year and enabled more than 100 schools to pilot AI-powered platforms and be trained on AI use. The learnings from the pilot informed the development of AI guidance and digital learning tools available to all Indiana schools, posted on IDOE’s website and also available through the Indiana Learning Lab. The Learning Lab is a platform available for schools, teachers and parents statewide.
Indiana colleges and universities are also starting to make adaptations to their coursework and other requirements. Purdue University, for example, announced in November that it will add AI competency as a graduation requirement for students enrolling as freshmen in 2026. Purdue alumni won’t be excluded, as they can take advantage of free online AI courses offered by their alma mater.
Companies are rolling out changes to their workplaces in response to AI. Eli Lilly and Co., for example, recently announced it is building a supercomputer in partnership with NVIDIA that will power what they are calling an “AI factory.” A major goal is to speed up the development cycle for new medicines, with the aim of helping more patients globally.
Smaller organizations are also taking active steps to benefit from AI in the workplace. My organization, for example, launched an internal AI initiative last year and spent time learning about available AI tools and determining which make the most sense for our internal systems, programs and processes. Next steps include piloting priority tools we have identified and ensuring all staff receive training and support on how to integrate these tools into their routine activities.
As a self-professed novice, I am also taking steps to ensure I understand how AI is already impacting my life personally through my use of basic tools like Google. As a joke (OK, maybe not so much a joke), I added “AI for Dummies” to my 2025 holiday gift wish list. I hope Santa comes through for me. More seriously, a variety of training courses are available through universities nationwide and through resources like LinkedIn Learning.
AI has arrived and is evolving at a hard-to-fathom pace. As we head into 2026, I will be making it a priority both personally and professionally to deepen my understanding of AI and take advantage of the best available tools.•
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Fiddian-Green is president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, whose mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Send comments to [email protected].
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