Employers are increasingly seeking employees with AI expertise to streamline tasks in modern workplaces. The surge in demand for AI skills is evident across various roles, with insights from the UK highlighting the need for basic AI literacy among professionals.
Employers’ Expectations for AI Skills in Modern Workplaces
San Francisco, December 2023—At software company Deel, Senior Director Nadia Alaee is actively searching for employees with artificial intelligence (AI) expertise, especially in human resources. Deel aims to streamline administrative tasks associated with staff management using AI.
Across various roles, including technical and non-technical positions, Deel values experience with AI tools like ChatGPT by OpenAI. The demand for AI proficiency has surged, as evidenced by a LinkedIn report that notes a doubling in job posts mentioning AI over the past two years.
UK Insights: A LinkedIn survey reveals that 38% of UK workers expect significant job changes due to AI within the next year. While 76% are excited about this shift, 36% feel overwhelmed by the learning curve.
Software company ServiceNow found that 41% of office workers lack the technical skills to work with AI systems. Ngaire Moyes, UK country manager at LinkedIn, highlights AI’s potential to boost productivity and free up time for creative tasks. For smaller businesses, such as Deirdre McGettrick’s ufurnish.com, AI is pivotal for rapid growth. Her company uses AI for content creation and software development.
At Deel, AI aids in writing performance reviews and other managerial tasks, though human oversight remains essential to avoid generic outputs. Employers like Ms. Alaee emphasize that over-reliance on AI can lead to errors and misinterpretations, underscoring the need for hybrid human-AI efforts.
Emma Parry from Cranfield School of Management warns that AI systems may perpetuate human biases embedded in data, potentially leading to workplace discrimination.
Despite AI’s growing role, LinkedIn reports that two-thirds of UK professionals have not received formal AI training. Moyes recommends basic AI literacy rather than expert-level proficiency for employees to leverage AI effectively.
Paola Dyboski, founder of Dr Zigs, notes a surprising reluctance among contractors to adopt AI tools. To address this, individuals and businesses are encouraged to explore available AI tools and consider the benefits of integrating AI into their workflows.
AI’s Role Forward: As AI reshapes job roles, success will depend on adapting to work alongside these tools while maintaining the human element in organizational redesign and operation.
