We used to do all our math on slide rules. They're just as effective as they always were.

But when you're being graded on a curve, standing still can still mean falling behind.

Which isn't to say that AI is definitively ahead of the curve; I think we're a bit early for that. But as actual answers to your actual questions - it's important because if everyone else gets ahead of you, your boss will STOP paying you

(and if you're "good at AI", you can at least make bank until the bubble bursts)