The conversation about the future of work is no longer just about if you use AI, but how you build a career that is both globally relevant and uniquely human. In a world where AI can draft emails, write code, and summarize research, what becomes our competitive edge? This was the central, urgent question at the heart of a recent live session that brought together two exceptional minds at the forefront of this global shift.
The session, themed “AI Education and Global Careers: Unlocking International Opportunities,” featured Dr. Yemisi Adedeji, a senior scientist and UK Global Talent Visa recipient, and Dr. Emmanuel Olatunji Iyiola, a leading expert in AI privacy and ethics. What unfolded was less of a formal panel and more of a masterclass in future-proofing your career, filled with personal journeys, surprising anecdotes, and actionable advice.
Here are the top insights from their compelling conversation.
Insight 1: Your Career Trajectory is a Story—Start Writing the Evidence Now
Dr. Yemisi, affectionately known as the “connecting connector,” began by grounding the high-tech discussion in a profoundly human truth: “The future you… you cannot feature in it if you don’t picture it.” Her journey from a young graduate assistant in Nigeria to a recognised scientist in the UK wasn’t accidental; it was built on a clear vision and a relentless accumulation of evidence.
She emphasized that for programs like the UK Global Talent Visa, your application isn’t just a form—it’s your story told through documents. “Your document is what speaks for you,” she noted. This means that every publication, conference attendance, collaboration, and media mention is a chapter in that story. Her advice for those starting out, especially in developing countries, is to start building this portfolio immediately.
“Start creating your journey because you just never know when these opportunities will come. You need to be ready for it.” — Dr. Yemisi Adedeji
This involves moving beyond local journals, seeking international collaborations on platforms like LinkedIn, and presenting your work at global conferences, even if it starts with a poster presentation. “Leverage your studentship,” she urged, explaining that being a student opens doors; people are often more willing to respond to and mentor an eager student.
Insight 2: In the AI Gold Rush, Be the Mechanic (Not Just the Miner)
While everyone is racing to build the next groundbreaking AI model, Dr. Emmanuel presented a powerful alternative: become the expert who ensures these systems are safe, private, and trustworthy. With a background that spans Hong Kong, Germany, and Luxembourg, he framed this niche as a career superpower.
“You can think of us as being the mechanics,” he explained. “Regardless of how many cars you make, you still have to go to a mechanic workshop to service it. Something is always broken. And that’s basically what we do.”
He brought this to life with a riveting example from his latest research. His team positioned themselves as “novice attackers,” using LLMs to find vulnerabilities in a major, widely-used system. By crafting clever prompts that bypassed safety filters, they demonstrated how one could potentially copy an entire database or escalate user privileges. His work isn’t about causing harm, but about being “the bad guy for the good guys”—exposing flaws so they can be fixed before real attackers find them.
This field, which encompasses privacy, fairness, and explainability, is where he sees immense opportunity. “The bar right now is quite low,” he admitted, encouraging newcomers.
“It’s okay to actually work for free for some time… Just to get some of these experiences.”
Insight 3: Don’t Compete with AI—Leverage It. Your Uniqueness is Your Currency
A recurring theme was the democratizing power of AI. Dr. Yemisi pointed out that while technology has made it easier to access information and polish applications, it has also made the landscape more competitive. “Two applications [can look] exactly the same… What is the global opportunity you are bringing to the table? What is the impact of your work?
“Dr. Emmanuel took this further, delivering one of the session’s most memorable lines:
“Don’t try to compete with AI—leverage it… The moment you find your uniqueness, I think doors really open.
He argued that AI is a “leveler.” When everyone has access to the same powerful tools, generic skills become less valuable. The winners will be those who use AI to amplify their unique human strengths: creativity, critical thinking, and deep domain expertise. For professionals in developing countries, this is a call to action to focus on local problems and creative solutions, using AI as a tool rather than seeing it as an opponent.
Insight 4: Ethics is the Non-Negotiable Frontier of AI—And It’s Full of Gray Areas
Dr. Emmanuel’s work sits in the complex, “gray zone” of AI ethics. He explained that while we strive to create unbiased, ethical AI, the systems are trained on inherently biased human data. This creates a fundamental tension. “We humans are biased,” he said, “but we don’t want AI to be biased.”
He revealed that ensuring ethics is a long-term challenge. For example, his research into AI-generated code and references uncovered that these systems “hallucinate” at a much higher rate for non-Western contexts, like African names and research. This subtle bias is a critical area where diverse perspectives are desperately needed. For anyone looking to enter the field, focusing on these ethical nuances—perhaps by writing a blog post or conducting a small-scale study on a local bias—is a fantastic way to build credibility.
Insight 5: Global Visibility Starts with Local Impact and Human Connection
Both experts debunked the myth that you need to be in Europe or North America to build a global career. In fact, they argued the opposite: strong local impact is your best foundation.”
Before we think of global, we should actually think locally,” advised Dr. Emmanuel. “If you’re a local champion, it’s much easier for people to want to collaborate with you.”
Dr. Yemisi echoed this, stating that the “natural trajectory” for a global talent visa often starts with demonstrable impact in your home country. How did they build their own international networks? Through the timeless power of human connection.
Dr. Emmanuel shared how he met his co-hosts simply by saying “hi” at a conference in Austria. That single interaction blossomed into a professional relationship and this very panel.
Dr. Yemisi emphasized the power of reaching out to professors and researchers on LinkedIn. “It could just be a simple hello that can actually open the door,” she said.
Your Action Plan: Steps to a Global AI-Ready Career
The session concluded with a clear call to action. Here’s a summary of steps you can take today:
- Define Your Niche: What problem can you solve that AI can’t? Are you a future “mechanic” in AI ethics, or a researcher with a unique local perspective?
- Build Your Evidence Portfolio: Start documenting your work. Publish, present, collaborate. Treat every project as a piece of your global career story.
- Network Intentionally: Attend conferences (virtual or in-person), send that thoughtful message on LinkedIn, and don’t underestimate the power of a simple introduction.
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: Take online courses in emerging fields like cybersecurity and AI ethics. Be willing to start with internships or small projects to gain experience.
- Leverage, Don’t Just Use, AI: Use AI tools to enhance your productivity and research, but never let them replace your unique voice and critical thinking.
The Human Element Endures
The most resounding takeaway from the session was one of hope. In an AI-driven world, the most valuable currencies remain human: vision, integrity, connection, and the courage to solve the problems others overlook.
As Dr. Yemisi and Dr. Emmanuel proved, the global stage is not a distant dream for a select few. It is a space waiting to be shaped by talented, intentional individuals who are ready to write their own story.
Watch the Session Replay
The future of global careers is a blend of cutting-edge innovation and timeless human wisdom. The question is, which role will you play?Want to continue the conversation? Stay tuned for future sessions that bridge the gap between ambition and achievement in the global arena.