Immigrants, AI, and the Beginner Mindset
- Najah Al-Atassi
- Dec 16
- 3 min read
This blog post was submitted by Al-Atassi Leadership Consulting.
It is no secret that there has been a lot of controversy over immigration policies, unemployment, and the competitiveness of the job market. Also, it is no secret that there have been significant concerns about AI and the changes it will bring to our workplaces and employment. I think many of us are wondering what the future of work will look like in five or even ten years.
So, I wanted to offer a new perspective on both issues that, as an immigrant, I know very well: Embracing the Beginner Mindset.
One of the most powerful tools immigrants bring — often without realizing it — is the beginner mindset. We arrive in a new environment where the language is different, the culture is different, the unspoken expectations are different, and, honestly, the cold is very different.
Most immigrants are masters at finding an advantage in every disadvantage; therefore, as a successful immigrant myself, I worked very hard to rewire my mind to see my new environment not as a barrier but as an opportunity.
In my consultancy work, I encourage immigrants, refugees, and first-generation people to see the new environment as an opportunity. A beginner mindset allows you to:
1- Ask questions others take for granted, such as “why don’t people talk about their salaries?”
2- Know that you will suck the first 1-3 years, but you will still show up with humility every day anyway
3-Know that the experience, the social norms, and the networks you had before are not as relevant anymore, and you will need to upgrade, reskill, or forget them altogether.
Yes, it can feel like you’re “starting over,” but you still have your agency. You can think of it as not starting from zero—you are starting from your experience and wisdom, and from your ability to see everything through the eyes of a beginner.
As AI takes over our reality, many people born in Canada will feel like immigrants who need to learn a new language, acquire new skills, adapt to a new environment, and face new realities. It is very possible that a future controversy could be about the burden that hiring or retaining employees who might be perceived as lacking “AI experience” will place on our society, such as mental health and social employment programs. (If it sounds familiar to the “ No Canadian experience” barriers many immigrants face, it is).
Looking ahead, new debates may arise over hiring employees without “AI experience,” raising concerns about the impact on productivity and competence.
This echoes the “No Canadian experience” barrier faced by immigrants. Just as immigrants must prove themselves and adapt, employees without AI expertise may encounter similar pressures to learn new skills and adjust to evolving workplace demands.
If companies are not welcoming, actively work to give their immigrants and first-generation employees a sense of belonging, and support them in adapting, unlearning, and learning new norms while valuing their talents and prior experience, expect them not to be very caring of their human capital as our economy migrates to the new AI world.
AI is a tool that can be used for good or bad. I will trust the systems that are built for equity to use AI for good. People who are seeking to better their lives and pursue opportunities in a new environment are not the problem; they are an asset to their companies and countries.
Building a culture that truly values diversity and invests in its people is what will build resilience and competitiveness for this company, as it will always be supported by its employees, shareholders, and clients. In both cases, this is where the Learning & Development programs to lift all employees, preparing them for success in new systems, play a critical role.
Learn more: https://www.alatassileadershipconsulting.com/
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