What makes a great POV? I like this WSJ piece, “How AI Could Keep Young Workers From Getting the Skills They Need” for several reasons. First, it’s not mindless bomb-throwing or clickbait nonsense. The author – an academic who teaches at Santa Barbara – presents a balanced perspective on AI that’s fair to both sides in this debate. Too often, people writing on the topic fall into the trap of presenting AI and automation as purely positive or negative forces. Not here. The author explains that yes, AI improves efficiency, but it also creates long-term risks for workforce development. This balance ensures the article addresses both the potential benefits as well as the potential downsides of AI, rather than taking an overly simplistic stance. Using this as an example, here are the four components that make a good POV piece:
1. Backing it Up
The writer also did his research – in this case 12 years’ worth of research. What’s more, he provides specific examples across industries, including healthcare and banking. These real-world observations and data-backed claims help make the argument credible and grounded in facts rather than speculation. For example, the detailed discussion of robotic surgery shows a deep understanding of the issue and how technology has fundamentally changed the expert-novice dynamic.
2. Finding a Good Angle
Further, this isn’t the usual narrative of “AI stealing jobs. Instead, the writer digs into a subtle, relatively underexplored Issue – in this case the decline in opportunities for younger workers to learn from seasoned experts due to increased automation. This isn’t a widely discussed topic, which makes the perspective refreshing and thought-provoking. By addressing this lesser-known issue, the article adds depth to the broader AI conversation.
3. Call to Action/ Solutions
The article doesn’t just outline a problem; it offers a path forward. By describing collaborative learning between senior and junior workers as a potential solution, the author moves beyond criticism and provides a constructive approach for businesses to address the skills gap. The suggestion to create learning environments where juniors and seniors work together to integrate new technologies is practical and actionable.
4. Clear, Well-Structured Argument
He makes the case in simple, well-organized English (always a bonus!) The article is well-organized and the argument is presented in a logical flow: he first introduces the problem (AI’s impact on skill-building), then illustrates his point with real-world examples before offering up a solution. This clarity makes it easy to follow and digest, even though the topic is complex.
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