Embracing AI to Upskill Employees for a Technological Future

Why are people afraid of technology? Why aren't companies focusing on upskilling their employees instead of rehiring?

Is it the fear of losing their jobs, or that technology will expose their lack of skills, leading to job loss? Are companies so afraid of missing out (FOMO) that they prefer to let go of employees without AI experience and spend more money rehiring?

There must be a reason why we tend to go backward instead of moving forward.

According to the World Economic Forum's current article on Jobs and the Future of Work, many employees fear that using AI might make them appear replaceable, leading to worries about job loss. This is a fear I've encountered with non-technical employees and small business owners across industries. However, AI skills are becoming increasingly critical for job candidates. Over the past eight years, hiring for technical AI roles has increased by 323%, and businesses now seek non-technical talent with AI skills (World Economic Forum).

What shocked me the most about this report?

Two-thirds of business leaders wouldn't hire candidates without AI skills, and nearly three-quarters prefer hiring less experienced candidates with AI skills over more experienced candidates without them (Jobs and the Future of Work).

This highlights the opportunity for corporations to invest in their own employees rather than focusing solely on hiring new talent. Why hire new talent when current employees can benefit from training and learning new skills to stay ahead in this advanced technology and AI craze world? Investing in upskilling can boost employee satisfaction and retention, as employees feel valued and appreciated. By supporting employees who are eager to learn and grow, companies can foster a positive work environment and drive both individual and organizational growth.

What about those AI Specialists?

According to PwC's 2024 AI Jobs Barometer, jobs requiring AI specialist skills are growing 3.5 times faster than all jobs combined. This trend has been rising since 2016, even before the introduction of generative AI models like ChatGPT. An analysis of job ads from 15 countries shows that AI specialist jobs offer up to a 25% pay premium. While technologists earn the highest wages, AI skills also benefit lawyers, sales and marketing managers, and accountants.

AI skills are needed in many jobs and industries. The top three jobs adding AI skills on LinkedIn are content writers, graphic designers, and marketing managers. Entrepreneurs, business professionals, web, and software developers are also joining this trend.

The good thing is?

The current workforce is slowly understanding that AI is crucial for career advancement. Over three-quarters of respondents in Microsoft and LinkedIn's 2024 Work Trend Index believe AI skills are necessary to stay competitive, with 69% seeing AI knowledge as a way to get promoted faster and 79% viewing it as a means to broaden job opportunities.

This births the new term, AI super users who are taking the spotlight. These employees use AI to work more efficiently and streamline their tasks, showing how valuable AI knowledge can be for career advancement. With many people recognizing the importance of AI skills, attendance in LinkedIn learning courses on AI for non-technical professionals is on the rise. This trend highlights the growing acceptance and need for AI skills in the workforce.

How to become an AI super user?

AI power users experiment with different ways of using AI to enhance their work, constantly asking how AI can help before starting new tasks. They start and end their day with AI tools to organize their workflow and plan for the next day. Power users redesign their workflow by using AI for tasks like catching up on meetings, analyzing information, designing visuals, brainstorming, and interacting with customers. They also improve business processes by using AI to redesign workflows in their organization.

Educating the future workforce

There is a need for more training resources and funding to prepare the future workforce. I believe it's important for companies to focus on retraining their staff rather than laying off employees or not providing opportunities due to a lack of tech skills.

By investing in training for AI, big data, privacy, cybersecurity, leadership, and analytical and critical thinking, companies can support their employees and help them succeed in the AI technological world we are creating.

Follow me to stay updated on the latest workshops Carla Garcia, CRPC?, CPRC and I are developing to help businesses train their workforce in cybersecurity practices and AI.

Felicita Sandoval is a professional in cybersecurity and AI, serving as a Cybersecurity Professional at LiveRamp and a doctoral student at Colorado Technical University. Her work focuses on protecting digital assets, compliance, and AI research. An effective speaker, she often discusses AI and cybersecurity practices. As Co-Founder of Latinas in Cyber (LAIC), she promotes diversity in tech through advocacy, mentorship, and networking. Felicita also hosts the Cyber C-Suite x La Jefa Interview Series, engaging with industry leaders on AI and cybersecurity.