How I almost failed an AI skills test… to be a Rookie.

Yep. A few weeks ago I took an AI skills assessment—and flunked. Then I took a course to learn how to do it right, and passed. Barely. My skill level? Rookie.

For perspective: a rookie is at the bottom of the ladder—the person I assumed wouldn’t get a project. Or so I thought. A few days later, I logged in to the platform to see how I could improve and found I’d been shortlisted for a project. Apparently, even rookies get work for their “emerging” skills. I was thrilled to bits.

That’s how the world is shaping up in the age of Generative AI. Everyone, theoretically, can get work on new-age platforms: freshers, people with some experience, and those with a little more. Too much experience isn’t required on most easily accessible projects. I can have years behind me and not need most of it. What matters is the ability to follow instructions. Following instructions and delivering on time tend to be rewarded—that’s the bulk of the work. And I think that’s fair. AI platforms are clear about what they want, how they want it done, and by when. Even when they ask for “experts,” they often want experts who can follow instructions. But that’s a story for another blog.

If you have worked through the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, or 2010s, you may agree that the Age of AI feels familiar: freshers could get work, learn on the job, be coached, then be “confirmed,” move up to “lead,” and—with the odd resignation—become a supervisor, maybe even a manager (today, probably a reviewer or QC) pretty quickly. The difference now is the online training built into the platforms, showing exactly how they want things done.

It’s an exciting time to look for new work. Age is no barrier. The only barrier, really, is myself. If I insist on carrying my lineage, my experience, my past track record—and demand to be acknowledged and compensated for it—I’m signing up for frustration. The same goes for companies pitching for work in this new environment. The starting point in the Age of AI is to accept that different skills are required, and to learn or adapt to those skills. That begins with taking assessments.

In the past month I spoke to 26 people aged 23 to 57—people looking for work and projects—and guess what: none of them, not one, had taken any AI skills assessments. Many years ago, at the end of a very long first day as a trainee chef in the main kitchen of a five-star hotel, the Sous Chef taught me an important lesson:

“You must write your name on the list of people who want to work. Only then will you get work—which is the opportunity to improve yourself. If you are not on the list, how will you get work? If you don’t work, how will you improve?”

The advice fits this age more than any other. Which is why I am taking skill tests and putting my name on the list … again and again.

(Note: Image generated with the help from ChatGPT 5).