Why understanding artificial intelligence goes beyond writing good prompts

Understanding AI: an essential skill for the modern professional

Philipp Navratil, Nestlé’s global CEO, says that for those who want to keep up with artificial intelligence in the workplace, knowing how to write a good prompt is not enough. In an interview with Business Insider, he stressed that the ability to understand what AI can do is now the most important skill for a professional.

Navratil, who leads more than 270,000 employees, stresses that no one needs to master the technical details of the technology. What really matters is having a broad view of the possibilities, trends, and how AI can transform the company where one works.

What does “understanding AI” mean?

According to the CEO, understanding AI means knowing what capabilities the technology already offers, what the industry trends are, and how it can be applied to change an organization’s processes. This broader perspective has more impact on transforming a business than knowledge of each specific tool.

Many people, however, see AI only as a tool. When it is incorporated without a review of work methods, it can generate extra layers of complexity instead of simplifying steps.

A prompt is just the beginning

A prompt is the written instruction that a user sends to a generative system, such as a chatbot. Writing a good prompt improves the quality of the response, but does not guarantee that the result meets the business needs.

For example, a sales analyst may ask the system for a summary of customers. Without understanding what the technology is already capable of doing, he may not realize that all the preparation for meetings could be redone more efficiently.

Rethinking processes is essential

The CEO argues that workers should review the way they perform their tasks and eliminate steps that are no longer necessary. Andrey Khusid, CEO of Miro, recently argued that companies should redesign work around AI rather than simply adding it to existing teams.

How Nestlé already applies AI in everyday life

According to Fortune, about 100,000 Nestlé employees use Microsoft Copilot every month. Chris Wright, the company’s technology director, also mentioned a virtual sales assistant, developed after identifying time-consuming tasks such as compiling product data and customer service guidelines.

The same report indicates that the company announced the elimination of more than 16,000 jobs over two years, with a focus on increasing operational efficiency.

AI training is still limited

A survey by TU Darmstadt in Germany revealed that only 15% of respondents had received any kind of AI training, according to The Next Web. The data shows that the use of technology has advanced more rapidly than people’s formal preparation.

What the message means for professionals

The statements point to three actions for those who want to prepare: understand what AI can already do, keep up with industry trends, and review one’s own routines to eliminate unnecessary steps. None of them require advanced technical training, according to the CEO.

For those looking for a first step, the Pre-MBA in AI at Saint Paul is an introductory training option.

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