5 Ways IT Pros Can Future-Proof Their Career in the AI Era
▼ Summary
– Stay close to technology and understand AI’s role in business, as successful IT leaders must balance technical knowledge with management responsibilities.
– Get hands-on with digital tools and AI, learning their capabilities and limitations to effectively deploy them and re-envision business processes.
– Develop a proactive, can-do attitude by taking initiative, delivering results, and embracing a mindset of proving through action rather than avoiding risks.
– Cultivate adaptability and interdisciplinary skills like curiosity and critical thinking to navigate evolving technologies and complex systems effectively.
– Build a strong professional network and continuously update both hard and soft skills to stay current and create career advancement opportunities.
For IT professionals aiming to secure their career trajectory in an age dominated by artificial intelligence, staying technically sharp while cultivating leadership qualities is no longer optional, it’s essential. Moving beyond middle management into senior roles demands a proactive approach, blending hands-on tech expertise with strategic vision. Here are five actionable strategies recommended by industry leaders to help ambitious IT specialists thrive in the AI-driven workplace.
Remain Engaged with Technology
Orla Daly, CIO at Skillsoft, emphasizes that modern IT leaders cannot afford to distance themselves from technical developments. In earlier years, climbing the corporate ladder often meant leaving coding and infrastructure details behind. Today, however, successful digital executives balance deep technology insight with business leadership. Daly notes that digital and data, especially AI, are now central to every organization, making it vital for IT managers to stay current with emerging tools. She points out that future CIOs may even use AI agents to handle certain executive tasks, reinforcing the need for technical fluency at every career stage.
Get Direct Experience with Digital Tools
Fausto Fleites, Vice President of Data Intelligence at ScottsMiracle-Gro, insists that IT professionals must grasp both the possibilities and constraints of AI. Even in senior roles, he maintains a hands-on involvement with technology, sometimes designing machine-learning models himself. Fleites advises peers to understand how AI agents function and how they integrate into business workflows. Asking practical questions, such as how to deploy AI effectively or reimagine company processes using automation, ensures that IT leaders evolve alongside technological advances.
Cultivate a Proactive, Results-Driven Mindset
According to David Walmsley, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Pandora, the old model of IT as a siloed support function is obsolete. Today, technology drives business growth, and leaders must adopt a can-do attitude. Walmsley encourages professionals to prioritize action and experimentation, even if it means occasional missteps. He values team members who deliver tangible outcomes over those who avoid risks altogether. In his view, proving concepts through real-world application is the surest path to career advancement.
Focus on Adaptability and Interdisciplinary Thinking
Ed Fidoe, CEO and co-founder of the London Interdisciplinary School, observes that technology evolves faster than any one skill set. Instead of chasing every new tool, he recommends strengthening foundational human capabilities: curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and behavioral insight. Fidoe explains that AI systems intersect with law, ethics, psychology, and culture, so professionals who can navigate these intersections will remain valuable. Thriving in the future won’t depend on memorizing today’s platforms, but on building resilient, adaptable thinking that can tackle tomorrow’s complex challenges.
Expand Your Professional Network and Skill Set
Ankur Anand, Group CIO at Nash Squared, highlights the importance of continuous learning and relationship-building. He urges IT specialists to stay curious, experimenting with AI and regularly auditing their own capabilities. Beyond technical certifications, Anand stresses the growing value of soft skills: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, and stakeholder management. He also recommends developing modular, transferable skills in areas like software engineering and project management. Finally, Anand advises professionals to maintain an active network and stay informed about industry trends, increasing the likelihood of new career opportunities.
(Source: ZDNET)
