As numerous LinkedIn News stories have shown this week alone, artificial intelligence (AI) is back in the news with updates on how it is affecting businesses and economies world-wide. And as such, many are honing in on the very tech skills workers in AI-related industries use regularly.
In an article on how AI is reshaping Canada’s workforce, Senior News Editor Riva Gold reports that an increasing amount of Canadians are acknowledging the increased presence of AI in the workplace.
In another article, Editor Emma W. Thorne reports that, according to the CEO and chairman of IBM Arvind Krishna, AI will first and foremost be affecting white-collar workers, as IBM itself will be replacing more than 7,000 workers with AI.
So, will this increasing usage of AI in the workplace mean more workers are in danger of losing their jobs? And is there, instead, a way to use this increase in AI usage to your advantage in your career?
Let’s get into it.
The latest on AI in the workplace
It’s easy to get caught up in the fear-mongering many are sharing regarding new AI developments and the ways they are affecting the workplace and economy.
Krishna even went on CNBC the other day to clear the air about how AI is transforming the future of work for white-collar workers.
“I was slightly mis-quoted,” Krishna told CNBC journalist Martin Soong. “Do I fundamentally believe that Artificial Intelligence in its current form […] can help make every enterprise process more productive? Yes.”
Of course, many take this information as reassurance that AI will merely make their jobs easier by automating many of their daily processes.
But, as Krishna asserts, “that means you can get the same work done with fewer people. That’s just the nature of productivity.”
And as Gold’s article reveals, while few use AI in their current positions at work, many millennial and Gen Z workers anticipate having to acquire AI-related and other tech skills to boost their future career prospects.
5 Tech Skills Workers Want to Hone for a Competitive Edge
In addition to AI-specific skills, according to the data LinkedIn gathered from Canadian workers in 2023, nearly half of those surveyed expressed interest in learning the following tech skills this year.
1. AI and Machine Learning
Of the over 3,300 professions surveyed, the greatest amount (26%) said that AI- and machine learning-related skills were on the top of their to-learn tech skills.
These include skills relating to the development, implementation, and management of AI-driven systems. And namely, these require a knowledge of database modelling and processing, statistics, and the languages involved in AI programming (e.g., Python, R, Java, Scala, C++, and TypeScript), to name a few.
While many AI-based careers require at least a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer engineering, statistics, or data science, there’s no reason you can’t implement AI into your everyday work.
There are myriad ways to implement existing AI software into your everyday processes—ways that you may not even realize are possible with even the most accessible forms, like ChatGPT. Find some of these ways in our blog on using AI in recruiting here.
2. Data Analysis and Data Science
The second highest skill category surveyors voted on was data analysis. This is because of the increasing demand for those who are able to take data and determine patterns and trends C-suite members can use for their plans of action, as well as create algorithms and data models that can forecast trends to keep businesses ahead of their competitors.
Naturally, these skills come largely from a comprehensive understanding of statistics, machine learning, forecasting, and algorithms. As well, many expressed interest in learning programming languages themselves, such as Python, R, and Ruby, among others.
Coursera has an entire article dedicated to data analysis and data science positions—i.e., what they entail and how to get into these fields of work. Check it out here if you’re interested in learning some of these skills yourself!
3. Cloud Computing
Third on the list was the cloud computing skill category. Specifically, 18% of those surveyed expressed interest in learning the skills necessary to manage cloud-based data storage, servers, databases, and software.
As Jake Frankenfield reports for Investopedia, cloud computing is a popular field for those looking to increase productivity while also saving money. This is because it uses cloud-based storage to maintain files securely and more efficiently than hard drives or local storage devices.
Those looking to improve their cloud computing skills can look to cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
4. Blockchain
12% of the respondents reported to wanting to take up Blockchain and Web 3 skills. Specifically, as the LinkedIn article reports, these folks expressed interest in learning blockchain as it relates with cybersecurity and related fields.
Crucially, as a previous blog post of ours outlines, blockchain is crucial for maintaining secure, tamper-proof data and removing the risk of fraud. Various industries have taken to using blockchain to help maintain secure records, including healthcare, finance, and supply chain industries.
5. Creator Economy Skills
Lastly, with 11% of the respondents expressed interest in learning creator economy skills—namely, content monetization strategies.
These include but are not exclusive to creating advertisements, using affiliate links for sales, offering premium content that comes at a cost, and offering content in e-book and online course formats.
Those looking to develop these creator skills can look to resources like this article on Buffer that outlines what kind of creator opportunities there are and how to pursue them.
With all of the above stated, it’s important to recognize that there are still many soft skills that AI and other forms of tech cannot replace. These include problem-solving, time management, in-person sales and rapport tactics, and teamwork skills. In fact, 61% of those surveyed in this same survey agreed that these remain, in fact, increasingly crucial in light of AI’s growing usage.
Are there any skills you want to pick up that either are or aren’t included in this blog? Share your insights with us over on LinkedIn. Let’s keep the conversation going!
