R.T.'s transformation illustrates why traditional models of education—learn intensively early, apply gradually forever—are dead. The AI age demands a new model: continuous, accelerated, lifelong learning.
Consider the acceleration: - 1900s: Skills remained relevant for 40 years - 1970s: Skills remained relevant for 20 years - 2000s: Skills remained relevant for 10 years - 2020s: Skills remain relevant for 5 years - 2024: Core skills remain relevant for 2-3 years¹²¹
This isn't just about technical skills. Even seemingly timeless capabilities require constant updating: - Leadership: From command-and-control to orchestration - Communication: From memos to multi-modal messaging - Strategy: From five-year plans to continuous pivots - Creativity: From solo genius to AI collaboration - Analysis: From spreadsheets to machine learning
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 found that Nearly half of workers' core skills will need to change in the next five years¹²². Not supplemented. Changed. And that's likely conservative.
But here's the paradox: Just when we need to learn faster than ever, traditional learning approaches fail us. Formal education is too slow. Training programs are outdated before they launch. Even online courses assume stable knowledge domains.
We need a new protocol—one designed for infinite learning in an infinitely changing world.