Is AI Fluency Is the New Microsoft Office Proficiency?

In this solo episode, Andy Storch makes the case for why AI fluency isn't optional — it's the new baseline for employability. While the macro debates around AI (government regulation, ethics, AGI timelines) are worth following, Andy argues that the wave is coming regardless. The real question is: will you be ready?

Andy draws a powerful analogy between the early days of listing "proficient in Microsoft Office" on a résumé and what AI proficiency means for today's workforce — except the stakes are exponentially higher. He shares what he's hearing from talent development professionals, company leaders, and frontline employees, and explains why the biggest gap isn't technology — it's adoption.

He also shares exciting news: Andy is launching an AI Kickstarter Workshop (available this fall) — a hands-on 90-minute session designed to get teams not just learning about AI, but actually using it and producing real output during the session.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why the AI wave is happening whether we embrace it or not — and why that matters for L&D
• The Microsoft Office analogy: how AI proficiency today mirrors a skill that once set candidates apart on résumés
• What Andy is hearing from leaders and talent development professionals about low AI adoption rates
• The "60% in the middle" — why most employees aren't anti-AI, they just don't know where to start
• Why employees who avoid AI fluency risk being left behind in hiring — and what you can do about it
• How organizations are paying for AI licenses that no one is using, and what to do instead
• The two types of speaking engagements Andy is now booking around AI enablement and career ownership
• Details on Andy's upcoming AI Kickstarter Workshop — a 90-minute session to get your team actually using AI tools

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Andy's website: andystorch.com
• Email Andy directly: andy@andystorch.com
• AI tools mentioned: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

Work With Andy:

Ready to get your team AI-fluent? Andy is booking two types of engagements:

1. AI Kickstarter Workshop — A 90-minute hands-on session to get your team using AI tools and producing real output. Available this fall.
2. Career Ownership & AI Keynote — For teams that have already started AI training but need a session on owning their careers and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them.

Reach out at andy@andystorch.com or visit andystorch.com.

About The Talent Development Hot Seat:

Hosted by Andy Storch, this podcast connects talent development professionals with insights, ideas, and inspiration to grow their careers and their organizations. With over 600 episodes published since 2018, the Hot Seat is your resource for what's next in L&D.