The AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium, comprised of industry giants like Cisco, Google, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, has released its inaugural report, “The Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs.”
The report reveals that a staggering 92% of IT jobs will experience a high or moderate transformation due to advances in artificial intelligence (AI).
This study sheds light on the immense potential of AI to revolutionize the technology workforce and empower workers to thrive in the AI era.
The report argues that the biggest changes will be seen in mid-level (40%) and entry-level (37%) technology jobs, as certain skills and capabilities become more or less relevant.
Embracing the AI Shift
Nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly clear that AI is not just a passing trend or a bubble waiting to burst. Rather, it represents a significant shift in the workforce, one that presents unprecedented opportunities for growth, innovation, and personal development.
The consortium’s report highlights the transformative impact of AI on mid-level (40%) and entry-level (37%) technology jobs, as certain skills and capabilities become more or less relevant in the face of this powerful technology.
AI ethics, responsible AI, rapid engineering, AI literacy, and large language model (LLM) architecture are expected to rise in importance in this new era, while traditional data management, content creation, documentation maintenance, basic programming and languages, and research information will become less relevant.
This is not a harbinger of doom for the workforce, but rather a clarion call to embrace the change and seize the opportunities that AI presents.
The report emphasizes that critical skills such as AI literacy, data analytics, and rapid engineering will become increasingly vital in all IT jobs.
This is a chance for workers to proactively upskill and reskill, to adapt to the AI-driven future, and position themselves at the forefront of this exciting new era.
The consortium’s comprehensive analysis provides insight into the impact of AI on tech jobs across 47 ICT roles in seven job groups: business and management, cybersecurity, data science, design and user experience, infrastructure and operations, software development, and testing and quality assurance.
This in-depth examination underscores the pervasive nature of AI’s influence and the need for workers to adapt and evolve to remain competitive in the job market.
The Importance of AI Literacy
The consortium’s report underscores the pivotal role of ongoing education in new technologies, particularly AI literacy. We have the unique ability to learn, grow, and adapt to changing circumstances, and the AI revolution is no exception.
By investing in AI literacy and other critical skills, workers can not only safeguard their relevance in the job market but also unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The consortium’s training initiatives, such as Cisco’s commitment to train 25 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032, IBM’s goal to train 30 million people by 2030, including 2 million in AI by the end of 2026, Intel’s plan to train more than 30 million people with AI skills for current and future jobs by 2030, Microsoft’s achievement of training and certifying 10 million people in digital skills a year ahead of schedule, SAP’s goal to upskill 2 million people worldwide by 2025, and Google’s $130 million funding to support AI training and skills for people in the US, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and APAC, are prime examples of how industry leaders are stepping up to empower workers in the AI era.
These initiatives are not just about imparting technical skills; they’re about fostering a mindset of continuous learning, curiosity, and adaptability. By embracing AI literacy and other critical skills, workers can position themselves as valuable assets in the AI-driven workforce, ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
AI as a Career Enhancer
While some may view AI as a threat to job security, the reality is far more nuanced and optimistic. As the consortium’s report highlights, AI itself may not replace jobs, but those who leverage AI effectively will have a distinct competitive edge in the workplace.
This is not a cause for alarm, but rather a wake-up call for workers to enhance their skills and embrace the power of AI as a tool for personal and professional growth. By integrating AI into their skill sets, workers can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and innovation, positioning themselves as indispensable assets in their respective fields.
From healthcare to finance, manufacturing to marketing, AI is already being used to outperform traditional methods and drive unprecedented levels of efficiency and accuracy. By learning to work alongside AI, rather than against it, workers can tap into this transformative potential and carve out new paths for career advancement.
The consortium’s report emphasizes that the biggest changes will be experienced by mid- and low-level positions, as manual tasks become less relevant or easily replaceable by AI technology.
However, this should not be viewed as a threat, but rather as an opportunity for workers to upskill and transition into higher-value roles that leverage their unique human abilities, such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
Taking Control of Career Trajectories
The AI revolution is not about replacing workers, but rather about empowering them to take control of their career trajectories and thrive in the face of change.
As the consortium’s report emphasizes, companies like Cisco, IBM, and Intel are making significant investments in training and upskilling initiatives to help workers transition smoothly into AI-enhanced roles.
These initiatives represent a paradigm shift in the way we think about work and career development. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to job security, we must embrace it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt to the changing demands of the workforce.
By taking advantage of these training and upskilling opportunities, workers can position themselves at the forefront of the AI revolution, ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Francine Katsoudas, director of people, policy, and purpose at Cisco, the company leading the consortium, eloquently captures this sentiment: “AI represents an unprecedented opportunity for technology to benefit humanity in every way, and we need to be intentional about making sure people are not left behind.”
By investing in a long-term roadmap for an inclusive workforce, the consortium is helping everyone participate and thrive in the AI era.
A Collaborative Effort for an Inclusive AI Workforce
The AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium’s report is not just a collection of data and insights; it’s a call to action for industry leaders, policymakers, and workers alike to embrace the AI revolution and work together to build a more inclusive and empowering future of work.
The consortium’s members, which include not only tech giants but also organizations like the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Chain5, Communications Workers of America (CWA), DigitalEurope, the European Vocational Training Association (EVTA), Khan Academy, and SMEunited, represent a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of bringing together different stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
As we move forward into the AI era, we must prioritize not only technical skills but also the human skills that will become increasingly valuable in an AI-driven workforce.
Skills like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability will be essential for workers to thrive alongside AI, and it’s up to industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to ensure that these skills are nurtured and developed.
Moreover, we must work together to create a more equitable and inclusive AI workforce, one that provides opportunities for workers from all backgrounds and skill levels to participate and succeed.
This means investing in education and training programs that are accessible and affordable, as well as creating pathways for workers to transition into AI-enhanced roles without fear of displacement or marginalization.
Final Words
The AI revolution is upon us, and it presents a transformative opportunity for workers in the technology sector and beyond. As the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium’s report makes clear, AI is not a passing trend or a bubble waiting to burst, but rather a significant shift in the workforce landscape that demands our attention and action.
By embracing AI literacy, data analytics, and other critical skills, workers can position themselves at the forefront of this exciting new era, ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
