Curiosity, learning and the Future of Work

Here's something personal.

Growing up in Mumbai in the 1980s, we didn't have much. But my parents gave me something that turned out to be more valuable than any inheritance: permission to be curious.

That curiosity never left. Four postgraduate programs. Executive courses at MIT Sloan Executive Education. Countless books and online programs. My wife jokes that I'm allergic to standing still.

But here's what I've learned about learning itself:

1/ It changes how you see problems. After studying at MIT and going through programs at Great Learning, I think differently. About leadership. About technology. About what happens when humans and AI actually work together instead of competing.

2/ The dots connect backwards. A course on org behavior from 2015 suddenly makes perfect sense when thinking about AI adoption in 2024. A discussion on systems thinking clicks in the context of hybrid work. You never know which lesson will matter until it does.

3/ We're in a catalytic moment. The next decade will compress what used to take a century. That's not hype, it's what I see at JLL everyday. The gap between "that's interesting" and "that's obsolete" has collapsed.

I was recently interviewed about this journey, and it made me reflect: learning isn't really about collecting credentials.

It's about staying useful. Staying relevant. And in an age where machines have all the answers, it's about staying curious enough to ask better questions.

What's one thing you've learned recently that surprised you? — Ram Srinivasan MIT Alum | Author, The Conscious Machine | Global AI Adoption Leader.

Published in Business Insider, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, MIT Executive Viewpoints and more.

—

A Message From Ram:

My mission is to illuminate the path toward humanity's exponential future. If you're a leader, innovator, or changemaker passionate about leveraging breakthrough technologies to create unprecedented positive impact, you're in the right place. If you know others who share this vision, please share these insights. Together, we can accelerate the trajectory of human progress.

Disclaimer:

Ram Srinivasan currently serves as an Innovation Strategist and Transformation Leader, authoring groundbreaking works including "The Conscious Machine" and the upcoming "The Exponential Human."

All views expressed on "Explained Weekly," the "ConvergeX Podcast," and across all digital channels and social media platforms are strictly personal opinions and do not represent the official positions of any organizations or entities I am affiliated with, past or present. The content shared is for informational and inspirational purposes only. These perspectives are my own and should not be construed as professional, legal, financial, technical, or strategic advice. Any decisions made based on this information are solely the responsibility of the reader.

While I strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness in all communications, the rapid pace of technological change means that some information may become outdated. I encourage readers to conduct their own due diligence and seek appropriate professional advice for their specific circumstances.