As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more commonplace in industries, employers are increasingly looking for workers who know how to use it—a skill most employees lack.
Key Details
- While AI usage is growing, the number of employees who know how to use it is not.
- A Salesforce survey of 11,000 workers found that one in 10 employees use AI in their typical workday.
- Around 80% of IT managers say that they need more employees skilled in AI.
- “AI is showing up everywhere, in every job,” says Salesforce VP Ann Weeby. “Skills are changing, technology is changing, and workers are being left behind.”
- Carnegie Mellon University added an AI degree in 2018, MIT invested $1 billion in developing a college for AI in 2018, and Emory University planned a Center for AI learning.
- While the available education may help upcoming workers, those currently in the workforce need to update their skillset to stay relevant in the changing workplace.
Why it’s news
The shortage of skilled employees is a global issue. Software firm SAS polled managers in the U.S., UK, and Ireland. It found that 63% said they had a shortage of adequate AI and machine-trained employees.
Many workers worry that their job may become irrelevant in just a few years due to advancements in AI. However, SymphonyAI’s Jennifer Trzepacz says that the tools SymphonyAI develops are intended to take away mundane tasks and allow more room for employees to work creatively.
SymphonyAI has started an initiative called “AI Is For Everyone” to encourage employees to develop their AI skills, alleviate some of that fear, and encourage curiosity about AI.
Already recruiters and hiring managers are looking for employees with AI skill sets. Skills are becoming increasingly desirable on employee resumes, sometimes even beyond educational background. Nearly 82% of managers in a Salesforce survey said skills were the most valuable attribute on prospective employee applications.