Category: Technology

by Charles C. Jett

The Competence Mirage — How Artificial Intelligence Has Made It Easier Than Ever to Appear Competent — and Harder Than Ever to Actually Be It

For fifty years, organizations measured competence by measuring production. That system worked — until artificial intelligence made it possible to produce sophisticated, high-quality work without the underlying skills to evaluate a single word of it. In The Competence Mirage, we examine what AI has actually done to the workforce: not replaced professionals, but created a generation whose apparent competence now outpaces their actual competence by a margin no one is measuring. The Eight Critical Skills haven’t changed. What’s changed is the cost of not having them.

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by Charles C. Jett

The Technology Skill: From a Gun Sight to Artificial Intelligence to Quantum Computing

In 1970, Captain James Lovell had a dead guidance computer, a gun sight, and three lives on the line. He selected the technology available, applied judgment, and brought his crew home alive. That same skill — the ability to choose the right tool for the task — is what every professional needs now. ChatGPT serves more than 800 million weekly users. The U.S. Department of Labor has formalized AI Literacy. Google’s quantum chip solved a problem in minutes that would take a supercomputer longer than the age of the universe. AI is not a new Critical Skill. Quantum computing is not a new Critical Skill. Both are powerful tools to which the Technology Skill must be applied. The judgment to choose has never mattered more.

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by Charles C. Jett

The Technology Skill: The Challenge to Keep Up With the Awe-Inspiring Growth and Proliferation of Technological Gadgets

The growth of technological gadgets since 2000 has been awe-inspiring, transforming daily life in remarkable ways. From smartphones and wearables to drones and smart homes, these innovations have redefined how we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. The sheer pace of development in areas like virtual reality, 3D printing, and electric vehicles leaves us marveling at human ingenuity. Yet, this incredible advancement may only be a prelude to what is to come. As we look ahead, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing promise even more profound changes, sparking excitement for the unimaginable innovations that lie ahead.

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by Charles C. Jett

Winning a Presidential Election: Crafting a Path to 270: Applying the Critical Skills in the 2024 Presidential Campaign

Running a successful presidential campaign requires mastering critical skills like Communications, Production, Information, Analysis, Technology, Interpersonal, and Time Management. These skills help manage operations, engage voters, build a path to 270 electoral votes, and respond effectively to “October surprises.” This post also highlights the dangers of information manipulation, where misleading “alternative facts” can sway public opinion. These essential skills ensure effective navigation through the unpredictable dynamics of a national election.

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by Charles C. Jett

From Quills to Newspapers: The Critical Skills Behind the Federalist Papers

John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, the brilliant authors of the Federalist Papers, used their extensive educations and critical skills to advocate for the U.S. Constitution. Without modern technology, they relied on quills, paper, and newspapers to communicate their ideas. Their deep knowledge of history, law, and political theory, combined with their persuasive writing, laid a solid intellectual foundation for America’s lasting constitutional republic. Their efforts remind us to scrutinize alternatives with equal intellectual rigor.

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