As companies scramble to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, many are making a critical misstep – panic-hiring so-called “AI experts.”
According to Ed Muscat Azzopardi, Director of Brand Strategy, this approach mirrors the gold rush era, where the real winners weren’t the miners but those who sold them shovels. “They made a little money early on but totally missed the point of the industry,” he observes.
Mr Muscat Azzopardi argues that the key to success isn’t about amassing AI tools or hiring prompt engineers. Instead, the most forward-thinking businesses will be those that recruit brilliant, adaptable minds who view AI as an intellectual power tool rather than an end in itself. “We should be thinking past the simple benefits of saving time or recruiting fewer humans,” he insists.
Drawing parallels with past technological advancements, he points out that when mechanical calculators and spreadsheets were introduced, companies didn’t rush to hire “calculator experts” but they sought skilled accountants and analysts who could leverage these tools to generate real value. The same logic applies to AI today.
“In knowledge-based industries, we should rethink the term ‘top-heavy’ and start to see it as a positive,” he suggests. AI should be used to handle routine tasks, while human talent focuses on complex problem-solving and innovation. “An organisation that recruits smart people who know how to wrestle AI to do their bidding is one that will deliver the most intellectual value.”
For Mr Muscat Azzopardi, the true measure of a candidate’s AI proficiency isn’t in their ability to list models they’ve mastered, but in their capacity to use AI to solve problems in unique ways. “I want to see silicon and synapses in harmony because that’s what will deliver an output that’s really remarkable.”
Businesses that fall into the trap of hiring AI specialists without a broader vision risk becoming the next Kodak, stuck in outdated systems while the industry moves forward.
The companies that thrive will be those that find conductors, not just operators, assembling teams of forward-thinkers who can orchestrate AI and human intelligence into a seamless, value-driven force.
Featured Image: Ed Muscat Azzopardi / LinkedIn
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