Skills for an AI-Ready Workforce

The good news is that majority of business leaders and workers in the sector believe that AI will have a positive impact on their jobs. 62% of business leaders and 77% of workers believing that AI will either help do their existing jobs better or reduce repetitive tasks.

 Perception of AI's impact on jobs (Business Leaders and Workers)

However, according to business leaders, the skills required for an AI future are in shortage. Communication and negotiation skills, entrepreneurship and initiative-taking as well as adaptability and continuous learning are the top three skills identified in which demand will outstrip supply in the next three years. At the same time, business leaders believe that the demand for basic data processing, literacy & numeracy and general equipment operations and mechanical skills will decrease in three years. Those skills are broadly available today, and already now the supply is higher than the demand.

The disconnect comes with employers' perception of their workers' willingness to reskill. "Business leaders are aware of the massive reskilling efforts required to build an AI ready workforce. However, 22% of business leaders felt that workers have no interest to reskill, but only 8% of workers feel the same. In addition, 48% of business leaders feel that workers do not have enough time to reskill, but only 34% feel the same way," shared Hunter. "Business leaders in this space must prioritize reskilling and upskilling, dedicating employee's time for this to address skills shortage. Even as it may result in short term productivity impact as building an AI-ready workforce will result in greater gains in the future."