Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Becoming Successful in a Digital Economy | Blog | University of West Florida
Skip to main content

Becoming Successful in a Digital Economy

December 1, 2025 | Ed2Go

Man using a desktop computer

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept. In fact, it is an essential tool shaping how businesses operate and innovate. If you are aiming to secure a competitive edge in your future career, understanding and applying AI is critical. UWF Continuing Education offers courses that provide a foundational yet powerful skill set to prepare you for the modern workforce.

What are the benefits?

Learning how to use AI tools offers a distinct advantage for students, positioning you to lead and innovate in your future career. These in-demand skills are crucial for three key reasons:

1. Boosting Efficiency and Productivity

Tools like ChatGPT and Copilot can automate routine, time-consuming tasks. This includes everything from drafting emails and summarizing documents to organizing data and scheduling. By offloading these repetitive tasks, you free up valuable time to focus on more complex, creative and strategic work. Employers across all industries highly value this ability to work faster and smarter.

2. Enabling Data-Driven Decisions

AI excels at analyzing vast amounts of data at a speed and scale impossible for humans. It can identify patterns, trends and insights that lead to better, more informed business decisions. For example, it can help predict customer behavior, forecast market trends or optimize supply chain logistics. Knowing how to use AI to extract these insights allows you to make strategic contributions and drive business growth.

3. Gaining a Competitive Advantage

Businesses that effectively leverage AI are outperforming their competitors. They are more innovative, efficient and responsive to market changes. As a professional, your ability to use these in-demand tools will make you a vital asset. You will be able to help organizations streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and stay ahead of the curve. In a world where AI is rapidly becoming the norm, those who understand it will be the ones who lead.

How UWF Continuing Education Can Help

UWF Continuing Education offers a comprehensive course that explores ChatGPT & Copilot and is designed to give you the practical, in-demand skills needed to thrive in today’s AI-driven economy. This course goes beyond theory to provide you with hands-on, real-world examples using industry-leading AI tools.

By focusing on tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, you will learn to streamline business operations, improve decision-making and drive innovation. This gives you a significant competitive advantage in the job market, positioning you as a forward-thinking professional capable of contributing to a company's success from day one.

Job Demand and Career Growth

The demand for professionals with AI literacy is accelerating nationwide. According to a recent article from faculty at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, as AI continues to redefine the global economy, universal AI literacy is no longer optional; it is essential.

While salaries can vary, a strong understanding of AI tools and their business applications often translates into a higher earning potential compared to peers without these skills. A 2025 report from PwC found that workers with AI skills receive a 56% wage premium, a significant jump from the 25% premium seen just a year prior. Lightcast, a labor market analytics company, also found that job postings listing AI skills offer salaries that are 28% higher on average (about an additional $18,000 per year). For roles mentioning at least two AI skills, the premium jumps to 43%. This trend is not limited to the tech sector. Industries from finance and marketing to human resources and education are now paying premiums for AI-literate talent.

Your Next Step Starts Here

The future of business is being built on AI, and your future career can be built on a strong foundation of its knowledge. Our course that explores ChatGPT & Copilot is your gateway to understanding these transformative technologies and making yourself an indispensable asset to any organization.

Are you ready to position yourself for success? Explore the course and enroll today!