President of the Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, has called for a shift in how individuals and institutions approach education and professional development as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies reshape the world of work.

According to Professor Dzidonu, graduation should no longer be viewed as the end of an individual’s learning journey but as the beginning of a new phase of continuous learning and skills development.

He described this approach as the “Sovereign Triple-L”, or Sovereign Lifelong Learner, which requires individuals to take personal responsibility for continually developing their knowledge, skills and capabilities.

“You went to university. You acquired knowledge. You graduated. You entered a profession. And for many years, much of what you had learned remained relevant to what you were called upon to do. That world is disappearing,” he said.

He noted that rapid advances in AI, changing technologies and evolving professional practices are making it increasingly difficult for people to rely solely on knowledge acquired during formal education.

Professor Dzidonu said university qualifications remain important but cannot guarantee that the knowledge and skills acquired at graduation will remain sufficient throughout a person’s career.

“The Sovereign Triple-L is not simply someone who keeps taking courses, accumulates certificates, or waits until an employer sends them for training. The Sovereign Triple-L is a Sovereign Lifelong Learner, a person who takes ownership of continuing learning,” he said.

He said individuals must regularly assess what they know, what they can do, where their skills gaps are and what new capabilities they need to develop.

Professor Dzidonu also introduced the concept of SEEK, which refers to an individual’s Skills, Expertise, Experience, Knowledge and Know-how.

He said the changing gap between the capabilities people currently possess and those required in a rapidly evolving workplace should encourage continuous learning and professional development.

“The more you know, the less you know,” he said, explaining that the statement reflects the constantly expanding frontier of knowledge, skills and professional capabilities rather than a reduction in what an individual knows.

He said AI should not be viewed only as a threat to existing skills but as a tool that can help individuals improve their capabilities.

“The more useful question is not merely, ‘Will AI make what I learned obsolete?’ It is: ‘How will I use AI, technology, experience, reflection and continuous learning to keep renewing what I know and what I am capable of doing?’” he said.

Professor Dzidonu urged people to learn with AI while maintaining human judgement and responsibility.

He said the ability to adapt and learn new things would become increasingly important as technology continues to change the nature of work.

“The future will increasingly belong to those who remain capable of learning what tomorrow requires,” he said.

He also outlined an Opportunity Possibility Difference (OPD) approach to lifelong learning, encouraging individuals to recognise opportunities presented by change, explore new possibilities and use their knowledge and capabilities to create value and solve problems.

Professor Dzidonu said the Sovereign Triple-L mindset was not limited to university graduates but was relevant to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and business leaders.

He urged graduates not to treat their qualifications as the conclusion of their education.

“Do not allow graduation to become the end of your learning journey. Let it become the beginning of a new one,” he said.