AI expertise will be vital for job seekers

According to CompTIA's Job Seeker Trends survey conducted in January, about 34 percent of U.S. job seekers emphasized the importance of grasping AI fundamentals, while 90 percent highlighted the significance of general digital skills, irrespective of industry, occupation, education level, or generational demographics. Of the surveyed job seekers, approximately two-thirds (67 percent) acknowledged discussions surrounding AI and its potential workforce impact, whereas 33 percent reported no awareness. Tim Herbert, Chief Research Officer at CompTIA, noted that the latest data underscores the widespread recognition of digital skills' importance in today's workforce. He observed a dual dynamic of employers increasingly seeking digitally adept workers across various roles and levels, alongside job seekers bringing their digital competencies to the workplace and driving innovation within organizations.

Herbert noted that the surge in AI interest among job seekers could be attributed in part to the hype surrounding AI, such as news reports highlighting engineers earning substantial salaries, as well as job seekers aiming to position themselves advantageously for opportunities.

A separate study conducted by CompTIA revealed that HR executives recognize significant potential in utilizing AI-enabled applications and platforms to streamline HR processes and bolster talent development.

Furthermore, job postings related to AI are increasing, reaching 2 percent of all jobs by the end of February, as reported by Indeed. Although still a small portion of total U.S. jobs, positions related to generative AI (GenAI) have experienced rapid growth since January 2023, accounting for approximately 0.1 percent of all jobs.

Nick Bunker, Economic Research Director for North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab, remarked that while companies have been hiring for roles linked to other AI skills and technologies like machine learning for years, the growth in broader AI jobs remains subdued compared to the surge in GenAI-specific jobs, despite the overall higher number of broad AI jobs.

Bunker noted that the recent increase in AI job postings is not driven by a surge in postings within AI-intensive sectors but rather by a rise in the AI portion of job postings across various sectors, particularly in software development roles.

"We've observed a significant rise in interest in GenAI following the introduction of ChatGPT," stated Art Zeile, President and CEO of DHI Group, a provider of career marketplaces like Dice and ClearanceJobs catering to technology-focused positions.

"In February, approximately 10 percent of all technology job postings required AI skills, up from 1 percent at the start of 2023," he added.

Zeile emphasized that the demand for AI skills will be widespread, impacting every job sector as AI becomes integrated into daily workflows. "CEOs are prioritizing the use of AI to enhance efficiency," he noted.

Sara Gutierrez, Chief Science Officer at talent assessment firm SHL, anticipates a parallel increase in companies' investment in AI capabilities and their hiring strategies. She expects a heightened focus on recruiting AI talent to drive innovation and efficiency.

Gutierrez predicts a significant reallocation of focus and resources within the tech sector toward AI, with AI-related roles offering higher compensation compared to non-AI positions, indicating the strong demand for skilled AI professionals and the competitive nature of the job market in this domain.

AI expertise in high demand

Zeile mentioned that major consulting firms such as Accenture, Deloitte, and IBM are currently implementing AI on a large scale, which is evident in their job postings.

"It's logical because every significant technological advancement I've witnessed over the past three decades has initially emerged at consulting firms," he remarked. "They are recruiting AI professionals and accelerating projects for major clients, paving the way for larger companies to subsequently hire AI engineers themselves."

According to Zeile, the majority of job listings seeking AI skills are for positions like data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, and machine learning engineers.

Herbert highlighted that as organizations progress from AI experimentation to integration, skill requirements and job roles typically align with three primary categories:

Technical: AI serves as a new tool for software developers, cybersecurity engineers, IT support specialists, data scientists, and related tech roles. These professionals incorporate AI-enabled tools into existing workflows, such as software developers utilizing AI-enabled coding or testing tools.

 Process Automation: This involves applying technology to address business challenges, requiring skills like UI/UX design, project management, instructional design, and customer experience specialists.

Generative Content: Employers are increasingly seeking AI fluency skills in digital roles, including the ability to craft and refine prompts for better generative AI output and leverage AI-enabled tools effectively.

How employers can act?

Despite the rapid expansion of AI, many workers lack the necessary skills and look to their employers for assistance in bridging this gap. A highly energized culture of ongoing learning and development will be essential.

“We are witnessing the emergence of various training initiatives for AI and GenAI,” stated Zeile. “While there isn't a dominant force in this domain yet, individuals can enhance their abilities in creating better prompts for GenAI and understanding AI fundamentals through short courses available on platforms like Coursera or Udemy.”

He also noted that AI skills are anticipated to become standardized through certifications, with major enterprise technology companies likely to introduce their own certification programs.

According to Herbert, employers now have a diverse range of options for enhancing the skills of their workforce. “In the face of disruptive change, those who break down large challenges into smaller, manageable steps will be better positioned to make progress,” he explained. “The challenge lies in balancing the allocation of limited training time and resources to develop AI fluency skills without neglecting other crucial digital skills like data analytics, cybersecurity, and application development.”