Admin pros urged to adopt AI as roles turn strategic

Administrative professionals must learn to use artificial intelligence or risk being left behind as their jobs shift from support work to shaping strategy, the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados has urged.

Dr Kevin Greenidge delivered the charge on Wednesday as he gave the feature address at the Administrative Professionals’ Day Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr Kevin Greenidge

Speaking on the theme “Beyond the Desk: Elevating Excellence, Empowering Professionals”, he underscored the importance of lifting performance among administrative professionals and committing to continuous learning.

He said: “Excellence in a changing world means being willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn continuously. Sometimes, you think you don’t have time, but instead of watching a series or two, if you do about 20 minutes a day, you’re amazed at how you will become a master of some product.”

The governor noted a clear shift in the role of administrative professionals, moving beyond traditional support duties.

“Administrative roles, they’re no longer purely support functions, they’re becoming increasingly strategic, strategic in that you influence the information flows through the organisation. You’re the ones who have prioritised the demand of leadership – without my team, I don’t know where I would be left, right or centre. You function as a bridge between the management and the staff, between institutions and the public, between intention and execution.”

He stressed that success in the modern workplace depended on those who were willing to use technology wisely, rather than avoid it.

“You’ve got to engage AI responsibly. You got to understand what the tools can do, and they cannot do. You must always verify the output, because they make mistakes. We must protect sensitive information, confidential information. We must ensure that the human remains in charge of the final product. So AI should enhance your work. It should elevate your outputs, but should never replace your thinking.”

The professionals who would thrive in the years ahead were those who embraced technology with confidence, discipline and critical thinking, Dr Greenidge said. 

“They will not see it as a threat to their world, but as an instrument that sharpens it. And in many cases, if you use AI well, it cannot and will not replace you. It will reveal the difference between those who think and those who merely process. So I encourage you to adopt AI in what we do.”

He also reinforced the importance of administrative professionals in maintaining continuity during periods of disruption and crisis.

“The ability to adapt, to pivot and to remain steady, while everything around you shifts is a bonus skill–  it’s what will define our future.”

Dr Greenidge described administrative professionals as essential during organisational restructuring and system transitions, noting that they provided stability in the midst of constant change.

“Constant change, new systems, restructuring, evolving mandates — administrative professionals are often the ones that pull that shred of continuity between everything. You’re the ones who make the transition workable.”

The central bank governor challenged administrative professionals to retool, remain current, be ready to pivot quickly, and invest in mentorship in order to stay relevant:

“Make a commitment this year, not someday, to learn something new, whether it be AI, whether it be digitisation. Make a commitment to learn something new this year, whether it’s the digital platform, an AI tool, or a project management system. Some data analytics skills; push yourself beyond what is comfortable.”

He added that staying current required active engagement through reading, questioning and participation in training opportunities.

“My third ask of you is to be ready to pivot, whether it’s a new policy, a new system, a climatic event or a sudden shift of your organisation’s priorities, your ability to adjust quickly and maintain standards while doing so is one of the most valuable things that you can bring to the workplace, that flexibility, that’s an amazing quality.”

Finally, he made a strong call for mentorship within the profession:

“There is a young professional watching how you carry yourself, how you manage pressure, how you treat people. They’re just watching, you’re always mentoring. They’re learning from you whether you intend to teach or not, they’re learning from you. So be intentional about it. Share what you know, support their growth. In fact, I would say select one. Let’s take extra time with them. Encourage them.”

(LG)