Why Basic Skills Like Excel Are Still Essential in the Age of ChatGPT

Durban: As artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT become increasingly popular in the workplace, many organisations are discovering that AI productivity still depends on strong fundamental skills, particularly in areas such as Excel, data interpretation, and critical thinking.

While AI can generate text, summaries and structured outputs in seconds, experts caution that the quality of results still depends heavily on the knowledge and judgment of the person using the technology.

Corporate training provider College Africa Group (CAG) says many employees expect AI tools to automatically produce accurate answers without understanding the underlying data or processes involved.

Arnold Muscat, Director of College Africa Group, commented:
“Artificial intelligence can generate impressive responses very quickly, but businesses must remember an important principle — AI produces language, not truth. If employees do not understand the underlying data, calculations or business context, they may not recognise when the AI output is incorrect.”

In many cases, employees using ChatGPT to assist with data tasks still require basic technical skills to guide the tool effectively and verify its results.

Skills such as Microsoft Excel remain essential when working with AI-generated information.

For example, employees may still need to:

Check calculations and formulas
Validate numbers and data sources
Interpret reports correctly
Structure data before using AI tools
Identify errors or unrealistic outputs

Without these basic skills, organisations risk employees accepting AI-generated results without understanding whether they are accurate.

Muscat added:
“AI works best when combined with human expertise. Tools like ChatGPT can assist with explanations, summaries and guidance, but employees still need practical skills such as Excel to analyse and verify information.”

As businesses adopt AI technologies more widely, many organisations are recognising that training must combine both AI awareness and core workplace skills.

College Africa Group, therefore, continues to deliver corporate training programmes that strengthen foundational workplace capabilities alongside emerging technologies.

These include training in:

Microsoft Excel productivity and data analysis
Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT
Responsible AI use in the workplace
Practical digital productivity skills

College Africa Group has introduced two practical AI programmes to support organisations adopting artificial intelligence responsibly.

AI in the Workplace focuses on governance, responsible use and understanding the risks of AI, while ChatGPT in Business is a hands-on course teaching employees how to write effective prompts and use ChatGPT productively in everyday workplace tasks.

Industry experts believe the organisations that benefit most from AI will be those that invest in both technology and employee capability.

Rather than replacing existing skills, AI is increasingly being viewed as a tool that enhances the productivity of employees who already understand their work processes and data.

About College Africa Group

College Africa Group provides corporate training across South Africa and the Southern African region, specialising in Excel, Microsoft Project, AI productivity tools and professional workplace skills training.

Training is delivered through onsite workshops and virtual sessions, helping organisations improve efficiency and develop modern workplace capabilities.