Do you suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome?

By Amanda Kavanagh

Tech workers are constantly challenged to improve their skills, so it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of new frameworks, technologies, and methodologies.

Sometimes it feels like you’re constantly chasing something new, wondering if you’ll be left behind if you don’t master every new tool that comes along.

But does this constant pursuit of new things actually help your career, or is it a symptom of the Shiny Object Syndrome? Let’s dive into this phenomenon and examine its impact.

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Trendy treadmill

We’ve all been there. A new programming language gains popularity, a cutting-edge framework promises to revolutionize development, or an innovative tool claims to increase productivity tenfold.

It’s natural to feel excited about these advances. After all, staying up-to-date is part of the job, but when does the pursuit of novelty become counterproductive?

Shiny Object Syndrome in technology isn’t just about playing around with new gadgets. It’s a mindset that can affect your career path, often leading you to invest time and energy into learning skills that may not align with your long-term goals or the needs of your company.

Trends come and go at breakneck speed. One month everyone is talking about blockchain, the next month it’s serverless architecture. As an employee, you may feel pressured to keep up with all the trends, fearing you’ll become obsolete if you don’t.

However, constantly shifting emphasis can be tiring and counterproductive.

Instead of developing deep expertise in areas that truly matter to your role and your business, you may find yourself with a fragmented skill set, being a jack of all trades but an expert at nothing.

A more strategic approach would allow for deep expert development, with knowledge of technology trends on the surface. This can make your skill set more valuable in the long run.

AI Gold Rush

Speaking of trends, let’s talk about something everyone knows about: generative AI.

With tech giants like NVIDIA and Microsoft seeing record revenues thanks to the technology, next-generation AI has become the latest gold rush, and tech workers are naturally feeling the pressure to join the ranks of its enthusiasts.

The horrendous salaries offered are also quite tempting.

According to Indeed, the average potential salary for people with AI skills is $174,727, and the demand for these types of positions is so high due to a widespread education gap.

While AI certainly has great potential, it’s crucial to approach it thoughtfully. Not every role or business needs to immediately transition to AI.

Rushing to adopt AI can lead to mistakes, even for established companies. Take the recent case of SheerLuxe, a luxury lifestyle platform in the UK, which faced criticism for introducing an AI-generated “editor” called Reem.

The computer-generated image undermined the brand’s array of personalized recommendations and was criticized for upholding unattainable standards of beauty.

Many wondered why the company hired an agency to create an AI editor who looked Middle Eastern instead of hiring a black woman for the role.

In response to the controversy, SheerLuxe released a statement on Instagram explaining that Reem was created out of their desire to experiment with AI, stating that “no jobs were in any way jeopardized as a result of her creation.” The entire company then took on a duvet day.

Khyati Sundaram, CEO of recruiting software company Applied, shared her valuable insights on the situation with HR Magazine:

“The backlash over SheerLuxe’s decision to hire an AI employee shows how strongly people feel about uncontrolled or rushed AI solutions.”

“We all know that AI has huge potential, but we also recognise that it has the potential to revolutionise a wide range of sectors and roles. This means that employers and businesses have a responsibility to consciously embrace AI in a way that helps existing teams, rather than making them feel threatened or replaced.”

This stunt has raised questions about the thoughtful implementation of AI across industries and reminded us of the dangers of rushing into technology without first considering all the aspects.

The controversy surrounding SheerLuxe is not an isolated case.

This was soon followed by a wave of criticism of HR software company Lattice, which announced plans to allow AI agents on its platform to be treated equally to employees, but abandoned the idea after feedback that it “lacked respect for the humanity of real employees.”

These cases highlight the growing tension between the rapid adoption of AI and ethical considerations in the workplace.

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Avoidance but innovation

Avoiding the shiny object syndrome while staying innovative is a challenge.

When considering new technology, invest time in thorough research. Understand its potential benefits, drawbacks, and ethical implications before considering whether it aligns with your personal and corporate values ​​and goals.

Then, engage your team in discussions about potential new technologies. Their insights can help you identify which innovations are truly valuable and which ones could be distracting.

Start small and low profile if you decide to adopt new technology. Think about the opposite approach to Reem. Test the waters under the radar.

After a certain period of time, evaluate its impact and be ready to abandon or change those initiatives that are not producing results.

Remember that real innovation is not about following every new trend.

Stopping for a moment to consider whether new technology is a valuable addition or just a distraction from the main goal can be the difference between genuine progress and a waste of time.

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