Higher Ed and VUCA – By MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D.

Summary

In a VUCA world marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, rapid technological advancements have reshaped education and employment. With billions connected online and millions enrolling in digital courses, the demand for adaptable learning is high. As AI and automation advance, the workforce faces significant changes, prompting the need for continuous learning and adaptation. The script challenges educators to leverage technology to evolve programs and services, preparing students for an uncertain future.

Takeaways

• 🌐 We live in a VUCA world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
• 📱 In 2007, tech giants like Apple and Google made significant strides with the iPhone and Android, respectively.
• 🏠 Airbnb's humble beginnings in 2007 with renting out space in an apartment marked the start of a sharing economy boom.
• 📈 The rapid growth of internet usage, with over 5 billion users and 29 billion connected devices, highlights the digital era's expansion.
• 📊 The sheer volume of content creation and consumption, like 8.5 billion Google searches daily and 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, underscores the internet's pervasive influence.
• 🎓 Online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX have millions of students, indicating a shift towards digital education.
• 👶 The demographic shifts, with a notable mention of the high IQ population in China, suggest a future where talent pools are vast and competitive.
• 💼 The modern workplace now includes four generations with different communication styles, affecting how organizations operate.
• 🔗 Job market fluidity is evident with many workers staying with employers for less than five years, indicating a need for continuous learning and adaptation.
• 🤖 Automation and AI are on the rise, with technologies like IBM's planned Condor quantum processor预示着 a future where human and machine roles will continue to evolve.
• 🌟 The presentation concludes with a call to action to clarify vision, seek understanding, act on certainty, and be adaptable in the face of a VUCA world.

Q & A

What does the acronym VUCA stand for and what does it represent?

VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. It represents the unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of the modern world, particularly in business and organizational environments.

What significant event happened in 2007 that revolutionized the tech industry?

In 2007, Apple launched the iPhone, which was a significant event that revolutionized the tech industry by introducing a new era of smartphones.

How did Airbnb's founders initially start their business?

The founders of Airbnb started by renting out space in their apartment for extra cash before it became the global online marketplace for lodging it is today.

What was the significance of the year 2007 for Google and Facebook in terms of acquisitions and availability?

In 2007, Google acquired YouTube, and Facebook became available to everyone, marking significant milestones in the growth and expansion of these tech giants.

How has the number of internet users and connected devices grown in the past 15 years?

Over 15 years, the number of internet users has grown to over 5 billion, and more than 29 billion devices are now connected to the internet, showcasing a massive increase in digital connectivity.

What is the average number of friends a Facebook user has, and how does this reflect social media's impact on social connections?

A Facebook user has an average of over 300 friends, highlighting the significant role social media plays in expanding social networks and connections.

How many different courses are available on Coursera, and what does this indicate about the variety of online learning opportunities?

Coursera offers over 7000 different courses, indicating the vast array of online learning opportunities available to students worldwide.

What does the rapid growth of online education platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX suggest about the future of education?

The rapid growth of online education platforms suggests a shift towards more accessible, flexible, and diverse educational opportunities, catering to the evolving needs of learners in a digital age.

How does the demographic shift, as mentioned in the script, impact the global workforce and education?

The demographic shift, with a declining birth rate in the U.S. and an aging population, impacts the global workforce by creating a need for more skilled workers and a focus on education that prepares individuals for jobs that don't yet exist.

What does the U.S. Department of Labor estimate regarding the number of jobs a learner will have by the age of 38?

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today's learner will have 10 to 14 jobs by the age of 38, indicating a trend towards more job mobility and the need for continuous learning and adaptation.

How does the increase in automation and AI impact the future of work, and what does this mean for job seekers?

The increase in automation and AI means that 50% of current work activities could be automated, which impacts the future of work by necessitating a focus on skills that are less susceptible to automation and a continuous upskilling of the workforce.

What is IBM's projected contribution to the field of quantum computing, and what are its potential implications?

IBM intends to introduce IBM Condor, the world's first universal quantum processor, which could lead to exponential jumps in computing power and the creation of solutions and inventions that are currently unimaginable.