For those in their 40s and 50s who have given up, saying 'I can't handle anything new anymore...': Small steps to change your future with 'latest technologies' like AI and low-code
Introduction
Hello. I am a HAS engineer.
'It's too exhausting to learn new things anymore...'
'I hope I can just get by with my current methods until retirement'
Do you see anyone around you in their 40s or 50s who thinks this way?
In fact, there are people like this around me, too.
・Still relying on paper-based operations
・Getting by by 'asking people' for necessary information
・Repeating simple tasks manually every day
Because of your many years of experience, you have been able to manage without any problems.
However, that method, which used to be the 'correct answer,' is quietly becoming obsolete without you even realizing it.
This is because the colleagues and subordinates working next to you are already using AI and the latest tools to streamline their work.
The gap is widening quietly, but surely.
If things continue this way, you might be left behind as a'dead weight employee'.
In this article, for those in their 40s and 50s who are about to give up, saying 'it can't be helped,' I will share:
The real risks of remaining ignorant of the latest technology
The surprisingly large benefits you can gain from taking small steps
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1. Why learning 'new things' becomes a burden
'I'm fine as I am,' 'I'm not having any trouble'—you are certainly not the only one who thinks this way.
There are several reasons why many people in their 40s and 50s feel intimidated by learning new technology.
The biggest reason is 'past success experiences.'
Throughout your long career, you have handled your work and achieved results using your own methods.
Directly typing into Excel:
Because you have spent time doing it manually, you know exactly where everything is and how to input it.
Confirming via face-to-face or phone:
You have advanced your work smoothly by asking people directly rather than searching for information.
Manual measurement and administrative work:
You have believed that this is a field where years of intuition and experience are what matter.
These were the 'correct answers' for how you did your work. Therefore, it is natural that you do not feel the need to change those methods now.
However, an era is coming where that 'correct answer'will become obsolete before you know it.
While you choose to maintain the status quo, thinking 'well, this is fine,' they are not just 'introducing' new tools, but actively utilizing them to increase efficiency.
2. You don't need to feel a sense of crisis. However, we live in an era where 'if you don't act, you will be left behind.'
When people feel, 'I can't keep up with the latest technology,' many experience a vague 'sense of crisis.'
'Will I be laid off?'
'Will I be left behind by those around me?'
But there is no need to feel such anxiety. What is important is not to be overly afraid, but to calmly understand the reality.
We are currently living in an era where the 'digital divide' is accelerating. This is a phenomenon where gaps in income and opportunity arise between those who can master IT and those who cannot.
For example, aren't there people around you who quickly use AI tools to summarize documents or automate business workflows with low-code tools?
They didn't have any special knowledge. They simply rode the wave of the times and tried out 'new ways of doing things'.
And that act of 'trying it out' has dramatically shortened their daily work time, creating time for them to focus on higher-value tasks.
In other words, the mindset of 'I don't know it, so I'll just give up' is no longer acceptable in this day and age.
Just by not knowing, your work efficiency will steadily decline, and you may find yourself significantly left behind by those around you without even realizing it.
3. Why 'AI' and 'low-code' make your work easier
When you hear 'AI' or 'low-code,' you might think, 'It sounds difficult' or 'It has nothing to do with me.'
I used to be the same way, and I thought it was fine to stay as I was.
However, after I started on note, I read articles written by other creators about how they use AI and efficient tools, and I learned a great deal.
And now, four months after starting on note, even I, in my 40s, have become able to do the following:
Tedious data entry:
AI will automatically list and aggregate necessary information for you. If you refine your prompts, you can fully automate data and reporting. In some cases, you don't even need to type, thanks to voice input.
Automation without programming:
By using low-code/no-code tools like Microsoft Power Automate, you can connect multiple tools or automate routine tasks just by using your mouse.
Efficient information gathering:
If you ask an information-gathering AI like NotebookLM, it will instantly summarize the information you need based on the source material.
Ending up with 'just having introduced the tool' happens because you don't yet know the benefits of how to use it.
AI and low-code are not meant for cramming in new knowledge, but are tools for saving your 'time' and 'effort'.
4. Reskilling that starts with just one 'small action'
You might feel intimidated when you hear the word 'reskilling.' But there is no need to suddenly get a certification or learn programming.
What is important is taking that 'small step' you can take starting today.
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Why not start by 'knowing'?
Try reading one article about AI or digital technology in your daily news.
Search for 'reskilling' or 'ChatGPT' on X (formerly Twitter) or note, and take a look at what kind of information is out there.
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Next, try 'touching' it.
If you use Excel at work, try asking AI to 'turn this data into a graph'.
Try leaving familiar tasks like summarizing meeting minutes or drafting emails to AI.
These actions can be done in just a few minutes a day.
This small step will be the trigger that significantly changes your future way of working.

Conclusion: A small step changes the future
To you, who read this article today and became even a little interested in a 'step to change the future'.
Latest technology is no longer something special just for the younger generation.
Rather, by combining AI and low-code with the skills you have cultivated through years of experience, your daily work will become easier and more valuable.
First, why not take a small step you can take starting today?
・Try asking AI to 'summarize this data'
・Try simple business automation with low-code tools
・Try exploring the latest technology information on note or social media
A few minutes of action can be the trigger that dramatically changes your work efficiency.
This 'small step' should significantly change how you work from now on.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
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