The skills needed for AI are shifting. Here are some details on this.

Introduction.

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), organizations are witnessing a shift in talent needs and workforce dynamics. This article delves into the Mckinsey recent survey results, exploring changes in the roles organizations are adopting to fuel their AI ambitions and the expected impact on the workforce.

The Landscape for AI-related roles is changing.

In the past year, the hiring landscape for AI-related roles has undergone noticeable transformations. Data engineers, machine learning engineers, and AI data scientists remain in demand, but the prevalence of AI-related software engineers has declined. Prompt engineering roles have emerged, reflecting the rising need as general AI adoption gains momentum.

The challenges in AI-Related Hiring.

While hiring for AI-related roles appears to have become somewhat easier, challenges persist. Layoffs in the tech sector from late 2022 through the first half of 2023 have influenced this trend. Respondents report varying levels of difficulty in hiring roles such as AI data scientists, data engineers, and data visualization specialists. However, hiring machine learning engineers and AI product owners continues to pose challenges.

The future workforce is reshaping.

Looking ahead to the next three years, respondents predict significant changes in the workforce due to AI adoption. Reskilling is anticipated to be a dominant trend, with nearly four in ten respondents expecting more than 20% of their companies' workforces to undergo reskilling. Surprisingly, only 8% of respondents foresee a decrease in workforce size by more than 20%.

Generative AI's Predicted Impact.

Examining the impact of the next generation of AI (generative AI), service operations emerge as the only function where a majority of respondents expect a decrease in workforce size. This aligns with recent research indicating an increased estimate of worker activities that could be automated (60 to 70%). However, this doesn't necessarily translate into the complete automation of entire roles.

AI High Performers and Reskilling.

AI high-performing organizations stand out in their commitment to reskilling. Respondents at these organizations are over three times more likely than others to state that they will reskill more than 30% of their workforces over the next three years due to AI adoption. This emphasizes the crucial role reskilling plays in adapting to the changing demands of the AI-driven era.

Relevance in the Human Resource Industry.

In the realm of Human Resources, these trends carry significant implications. HR professionals must stay attuned to the evolving skill sets demanded by AI, ensuring that their organizations are not only hiring the right talent but also proactively reskilling existing employees. The increasing ease of hiring for certain roles may necessitate a reevaluation of recruitment strategies, while the predicted rise in reskilling emphasizes the role of HR in facilitating ongoing learning and development.

Conclusion.

As AI continues to reshape the employment landscape, organizations especially those in the Human Resource industry, must navigate these shifts strategically. Embracing reskilling initiatives and adapting to the changing demands for AI-related roles will be key to thriving in the AI-driven future.

Happy Tuesday,

Louis.