San Francisco-based software company Deel and UK businesses are actively incorporating AI tools in their operations, highlighting the growing demand for AI skills and the need for employees to be AI-literate for enhanced job performance.
San Francisco-based software company Deel is actively seeking employees with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), including those familiar with generative AI tools like ChatGPT by OpenAI, Google’s Bard, and Claude from Anthropic. Senior Director Nadia Alaee emphasized that AI skills can streamline administrative tasks within their HR team and provide significant value across technical and non-technical roles in the company.
According to LinkedIn, job postings mentioning AI skills have more than doubled globally in the past two years. In the UK, 38% of workers expect significant changes in their jobs due to AI within the next year, although 36% feel overwhelmed by the need to learn new skills. A report by ServiceNow confirms that 41% of office workers feel they currently lack the technical abilities to work effectively with AI systems.
The adoption of AI in smaller businesses is also growing. Deirdre McGettrick, CEO of UK-based ufurnish.com, uses AI for content creation and software development to maximize efficiency and productivity in her 16-employee firm. Similarly, Deel’s employees incorporate AI tools to assist with tasks like writing performance reviews, albeit with some human oversight to ensure personalized responses.
Emma Parry, a professor of human resources at Cranfield School of Management, points out that AI systems are only as reliable as the data they are trained on, raising concerns about potential biases. Despite this, the role of AI in the workplace is seen as augmentative rather than replacing human jobs entirely.
However, LinkedIn reports that two-thirds of UK professionals have not received any formal AI training from their employers. Ngaire Moyes from LinkedIn suggests that employers are not expecting AI experts but want employees to be AI-literate and capable of leveraging AI tools to enhance job performance.
Entrepreneur Paola Dyboski, founder of Dr Zigs, notes some resistance to AI adoption despite its potential benefits. To bridge the skills gap, individuals are encouraged to experiment with free AI tools and enroll in relevant online courses. Prof. Parry stresses the importance of understanding the purpose behind adopting AI, advocating for a focus on improving tasks rather than merely seeking efficiency.
