第四次工业革命（4IR）正在从根本上改变我们周围的世界，人工智能、机器学习和数字化等技术进步正日益影响着我们的生活、工作、交流、学习和娱乐方式。
Against this backdrop, the science of data analytics is the “gold rush of the modern age,” where businesses are using technology to mine valuable information to better understand consumers and then develop products and services that cater to their unique needs. Within this evolving scenario, the big questions are: “What role will people play in the extraction of actionable data?”, and “Which careers are being created as a result of these expanding possibilities?” These were key questions discussed during Nielsen’srecent The 4th Industrial Revolution is Arriving panel at the Science Technology and Maths Conference (STEM) in Northgate, Johannesburg.
Speaking at the event, Nielsen Africa & Middle East Data Science Lead Jason Naicker said, “Within the context of the 4IR, machine learning has automated repetitive, time-consuming tasks, which include data gathering. But collection of information is only one aspect of this data revolution. The important question is, ‘What type of analysis and insight is required to apply meaning to that information?’ This is where humans can teach machines to translate inputs from the physical world into usable information.” He added, “I like to describe it as employees becoming the ‘DaVincis of data’! We’re all becoming ‘artists’ by creating and shaping information for a better business bottom line.”
不过，杰森指出，企业只有在设计工作场所时更加人性化，更加注重创造性，才能有意义地将现实世界的数据转化为可操作的机会。
人的力量
尼尔森非洲撒哈拉以南地区人力资源总监玛雅-戈文德（Maya Govind）也在活动上发言，她说，4IR 强调了多元化的重要性，以及在人才组合中纳入各种思想、经验、技能和背景的重要性。"我们是一家全球测量和数据分析公司，但我们的业务不仅与数字有关，还与了解这些数字背后的人有关。因此，我们不仅看重未来员工的科学和数学资质。我们也重视多样化的技能组合，包括心理学和社会学学位，这些学位与尼尔森的日常工作息息相关"。
Maya stressed that companies need to appreciate the difference between technical competencies and behavioural competencies. “Technical skills are transient skills—they come and go and change all the time. You need deep, humanistic skills of understanding, empathy and human-based analysis. As a result, emotional intelligence (EQ) has gained more attention in recent years and is one of the critical skills in the 4IR. This is underpinned by key skills like complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, judgement and decision making, negotiation and cognitive flexibility.”
关于在 4IR 世界中机器取代人类劳动的问题，玛雅评论说："重要的是要明白，这并不意味着人类的工作会减少，而是会有不同的工作。事实上，我们这一代学龄前儿童将要从事的大多数工作甚至还不存在。那么，会有更长期的工作稳定性吗？也许不会。但会有工作吗？当然会有，但需要对现有的技能组合进行进化"。
学习的 "游戏化
玛雅还讨论了尼尔森如何在其在职学习计划中采用最新的 4IR 技术。这包括 "游戏化 "的概念，即创建一个共享的、虚拟的现场场景体验，让用户以更快、互动性更强的方式学习。
不过，她澄清说，游戏化只是尼尔森学习方法的一个方面。"我们利用各种学习平台--虚拟和现实世界--进行不同类型的技能培训。例如，课堂学习将始终占有一席之地。毕竟，你无法在一个应用程序上学习领导力这样的核心能力！"
最后，玛雅指出："这种多学科的学习方法源于我们的目标，即为尼尔森员工提供经验和培训，使他们做好准备，在这个充满数据、洞察力和分析的新世界里，逐步承担更多的责任和复杂性，充分发挥自己的潜力。
