Skills and training - 2023 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WORKPLACE TRENDS REPORT

WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF AI?
As AI continues to disrupt the employment landscape, professionals will need to adapt and enhance their skillsets to ensure they can compete in an AI powered future.

According to Microsoft’s new work trend index report, which was based on findings from 31,000 people across 31 different markets between February and March 2023, “working alongside artificial intelligence will be as inherent as how we work with the internet – and employees need to equip themselves with skills for this future” (Microsoft: 2023 Annual work trend index). The top three skills that leaders considered essential are analytical judgement, flexibility and emotional intelligence, not just for those in technical or AI roles, but for all employees. Deciding on whether an AI based finding should be modified, used or rejected, falls to the judgement of the professional working with that technology.

Further research emphasises the importance of soft skills, such as emotional and cultural intelligence, and judgement and decision making. Computers are unable to emulate emotion, respond to customers sympathetically and handle interpersonal relationships, as humans can. As stressed by Ed Hess, co-author of ‘Humility is the new smart: rethinking human excellence in the smart machine age’, “Our emotional intelligence will be the very factor that makes us unique and employable”. 74% of executives in a study by Capgemini said that emotional intelligence will become a must-have skill for AI, with organisations subsequently benefitting from enhanced productivity, employee satisfaction and reduced attrition (Capgemini: Emotional Intelligence: the essential skillset for AI).
HAVE YOU LEARNT NEW SKILLS AS A RESULT OF TECHNOLOGIES IMPLEMENTED?
WHAT SKILLS HAVE YOU DEVELOPED?
“The ability to harness AI in day to day jobs will be a staple part of all our lives in the coming years. Those who can adapt to using new platforms and systems will be the winners, those who do not, will see the value and remuneration for their skills slide backwards.”

Paul Davey, Director, General Insurance
WHAT SKILLS HAVE EMPLOYEES DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF AI?

89% of professionals told us that they’ve learnt new skills as a result of adopting new technologies. The top three being statistical analysis (36%), ML Programming languages (30%) and analytical skills (29%).

Statistical analysis
The ability for professionals to extract meaningful insights from information, identify patterns, and draw actionable conclusions.

ML Programming languages
The ability for professionals to leverage programming techniques to develop chatbots, virtual assistants, and voice recognition systems, which will continue to transform customer service operations.

Analytical skills
The ability to analyse, interpret, and evaluate information in order to solve problems and make informed decisions. As AI continues to introduce employees to varied models and systems, it’s essential for employers to invest time and resource into training their workforce on skills needed, to thrive in an AI-driven world.
HOW CAN EMPLOYERS UPSKILL AND SUPPORT THEIR EMPLOYEES?
94% of those surveyed said they understand the skills they may need to keep up with emerging technologies, however only 27% of professionals reported that they have been provided with external training to upskill.

Are employers therefore struggling to identify what skills are needed and how they can support people? Prithwiraj Choudhury, Associate Professor at the Harvard Business Institute, believes there this is little research available on the skills needed by people to use intelligence-based tools and subsequently if employees aren’t trained appropriately, they will be less productive. “If someone’s past experience has been entirely in the world of older technology, and suddenly a machine learning tool is thrust upon them, they will be less productive”, he continues “AI tools might be good at predictions, but, if they are not used properly, there is no value in investing in such tools” (Harvard Business School: Business research for business leaders).
82% of professionals surveyed said they would like to improve their knowledge on AI and Machine Learning, making it a clear priority for employers to focus on.
In order to support employee professional development with regards to emerging technologies, businesses need to:
Assess training needs and skill gaps
Provide foundational knowledge on AI, ensuring employees have a good understanding of AI concepts, applications and benefits
Offer practical training for employees to apply their knowledge and problem solving skills
Deliver specialised training in areas relevant to specific jobs and tasks
Track progress and evaluate regularly, to identify areas for improvement.
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Section Six

WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF AI?

HAVE YOU LEARNT NEW SKILLS AS A RESULT OF TECHNOLOGIES IMPLEMENTED?

WHAT SKILLS HAVE YOU DEVELOPED?

“The ability to harness AI in day to day jobs will be a staple part of all our lives in the coming years. Those who can adapt to using new platforms and systems will be the winners, those who do not, will see the value and remuneration for their skills slide backwards.”

Paul Davey, Director, General Insurance

WHAT SKILLS HAVE EMPLOYEES DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF AI?

89% of professionals told us that they’ve learnt new skills as a result of adopting new technologies. The top three being statistical analysis (36%), ML Programming languages (30%) and analytical skills (29%).

ML Programming languages

Analytical skills

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS UPSKILL AND SUPPORT THEIR EMPLOYEES?

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