Copy of The Leaders Championing the AI Workplace Movement - Part 4

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For part four of The Leaders Championing the AI Workplace Movement series, we look at how AI changes job roles and skillset requirements. AI will likely reshape job roles by automating routine tasks, allowing employees to focus on more strategic and creative work. This shift will reduce the need for repetitive data processing and administrative roles, as AI-driven tools can handle these quickly and accurately. As a result, job roles will evolve to prioritize higher-order skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and emotional intelligence, which AI cannot easily replicate. Cross-functional skills will become more valuable, as employees will need to work alongside AI systems, understanding how to interpret AI-generated insights and apply them effectively.

In terms of skillset requirements, proficiency in data literacy, AI technology, and digital tools will become essential across all functions, not just for technical roles. Employees will need to be comfortable using AI platforms, analyzing data, and making data-informed decisions. Furthermore, adaptability and a willingness to continuously learn new technologies will be crucial, as the pace of AI advancement may require frequent upskilling. Overall, AI will demand a blend of technical and soft skills, enabling workers to leverage AI as a tool to enhance their roles rather than replace them.

For this series, I spoke to Fortune 500 CHROs including Donna Morris (Chief People Officer, Walmart), Michael Fraccaro (Chief People Officer, Mastercard), Cornelius Boone (Chief People Officer, eBay), Kirsten Marriner (Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer, The Clorox Company), Maria Zangardi (SVP, HR, and Corporate Officer, Universal Health Services), and Karen Dunning (Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Motorola Solutions).

In what ways do you foresee AI changing job roles and skillset requirements across your organization in the next 3 to 5 years?

Donna Morris (Walmart): Over time, we believe the make-up of our workforce will evolve with technology - we'll have a different combination of roles, but we'll ultimately have a larger business overall and employ a large number of associates, as we do today. As technology advances, we will also see new jobs. For example: We expanded our pickup and delivery services before and during the pandemic. Between 2018 and 2020, we added over 130,000 technology-powered positions in our U.S. stores. We believe the power of GenAI is fully realized when we combine the strengths of people and tech. Our associates are necessary for judgment, critical thinking, and a strategic thought process. GenAI can help remove friction and make jobs easier.

Michael Fraccaro (Mastercard): We are always looking at how to help our employees grow their skills for future needs. And this includes a future that will incorporate AI. It starts by determining the right type of work and processes that are well-suited for AI. In parallel, we’re looking at the importance of complementary skills for AI technology, for example: critical thinking and creativity, which will rise as critical capabilities. Some roles and skills that are top of mind, include: AI Governance, to align with organization principles and values; Chatbot managers, to ensure bots are producing meaningful results and managed operationally; process/workflow redesign, to redesign how work is done from a user standpoint; and skills like, AI modeling, AI ethics, bias assessment; and domain-specific skills within AI, for example, candidate selection, fraud detection, etc. And we’re evolving our training to meet people where they are. We’re doing this through our internal talent marketplace – Unlocked – which uses AI itself to match employees to project opportunities, mentorships, career paths, and more, based on their areas of interest and past roles. In this platform, employees can seek out projects to build their skills and capabilities – including in AI and other emerging technologies.

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