Part Two: The New Skills and Developments Emerging From AI and How the World of Work Can Leverage Them

Across the fast-paced technology landscape, AI is a force to be reckoned with, especially within the workplace. The rapid adoption of AI in various industries is reshaping not only how businesses function, but also the very essence of how work is done.

This is because traditional job descriptions are evolving, giving rise to new career pathways and roles. This shift represents a significant challenge and opportunity, namely the need for upskilling, which has emerged as a key pathway for adapting to working alongside AI. It is rapidly becoming a fundamental tactic for both the growth of individuals and organisations alike and is what will help both parties to retain their competitive edge as they explore and embrace the possibilities that AI brings to the workforce.

The widespread integration of AI is also vastly altering business operations as they are now completed with greater efficiency and fewer errors by leveraging its capabilities. According to HBR research based on threads across Reddit and Quora, 23% of people are using AI tools such as OpenAI and ChatGPT for content creation and editing, 21% for technical assistance and troubleshooting and 17% for professional support. While it is encouraging to see that jobs are being augmented through AI, such as Perplexity AI, which provides accurate, real-time answers to any question, this shift implies evolving skill requirements for numerous roles, rather than human intelligence becoming obsolete.

As AI increasingly automates more mundane routine tasks, there is a diminishing need for manual and basic cognitive skills, while a greater emphasis is now being placed on higher cognitive abilities. Employees therefore need to complement AI’s competencies by focusing on skills which are challenging to replicate and where human expertise surpasses that of a machine. Examples of this include critical thinking, problem-solving, storytelling, empathy and emotional intelligence. Yes, AI might produce results at speed around data analysis, quality control and cybersecurity, but those insights require human interpretation to give them context and meaning. 

However, the challenge of reskilling extends beyond tech-based roles. It encompasses all levels of employment - from team members to senior leaders - and types of jobs, be it analytical or creative. This also applies across a host of different industries. For example in healthcare, diagnostic tools and treatment protocols are expected to elevate patient outcomes. In retail, AI is projected to augment customer experiences through tailored recommendations. In finance, the proliferation of AI algorithms will continue reshaping investment tactics, bolstering fraud detection mechanisms and enhancing risk management frameworks. In manufacturing, automation driven by AI systems is primed for redefining production processes and will take on repetitive tasks while ensuring increased safety standards across operations. During a recent visit to Bologna’s Ducati factory, it was fascinating to observe how autonomous vehicles were used as part of the production process. This, in itself is not new, but we suspect the advances that are sure to follow will be even more jaw-dropping than the last.

This is why it’s imperative for companies to design training initiatives that align with evolving market and sector needs to ensure that present and future workforces possess the relevant skills and tools for success in an AI-pointed workplace. Simply put, effective reskilling strategies play a pivotal role in navigating through an AI-driven work setting for individuals and organisations alike. 

Developing a strategic reskilling framework involves several crucial steps

Tap into skills gaps: Organisations should initiate skill gap assessments to ascertain those that are on the decline compared to those emerging. This exercise should span the specific impact of AI on various roles across the company and how they can be enhanced. Employees can also take the initiative to road-test their own competencies with the CIPD’s Profession Map tool. 

Introduce cross-team collaboration: A key part of addressing reskilling is collaboration between stakeholders. Organisations should therefore work with educational facilities, industry partners and governmental bodies to craft training programs that cater to evolving skills. Collaborations of this nature can result in the development of specialised courses, apprenticeships and on-the-job training opportunities to meet the demands of the AI-integrated workplace. This comes as the World Economic Forum announced earlier this year that more than 600 million people around the world are set to be reached by its Reskilling Revolution platform by 2030. The ambitious programme is preparing the global workforce with the skills needed to future-proof their careers through extensive collaboration with key stakeholders.

Develop bespoke learning journeys: To address diverse reskilling needs, customised learning pathways should be offered based on individual job roles. For example, a data analyst may require training in advanced machine learning, while a project manager might focus on enhancing AI strategy and implementation. Utilising technology such as online platforms and courses, such as this one by Imperial College London, immersive, virtual reality and AI-driven training tools can transform training experiences by facilitating personalised learning on a large scale. 

Create a culture of learning: Establishing a culture that places value on continuous learning and professional growth is essential for successful reskilling initiatives within organisations. Regularly monitoring progress and collecting feedback from employees is crucial for refining training methods to ensure their relevance in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Monitor employee progress: Evaluating the effectiveness of reskilling efforts in terms of enhancing employee performance and achieving business objectives can be complex. Establishing metrics and regularly assessing training outcomes via mapping tools is crucial to ensure alignment with their intended goals. By directly tackling these obstacles, organisations can establish sustainable reskilling schemes that equip their workforce for an AI-led future.

Challenges in reskilling for AI

While the need for reskilling in AI-empowered workplaces is clear, several challenges can impact its effectiveness. This is why understanding and addressing these obstacles is crucial for effective and sustainable reskilling programs that prepare workforces for success. 

Resistance to change: One of the most significant hurdles in reskilling is resistance to change among employees. Many individuals may feel overwhelmed by the notion of learning new technologies or adapting to different roles. Overcoming this resistance requires clear communication about the benefits of reskilling, along with senior-level support. Hollywood writers recently went on strike to protect their livelihoods from AI - notably winning their cause. While this might seem like an out-of-reach example to regular workers example, it’s likely to have a trickle-down effect among other employees moving forward.

Operational hurdles: Implementing reskilling programs can be operationally complex and financially demanding, especially for SMEs. Finding the time for training during working hours, providing access to resources and covering the costs are all significant challenges. Solutions, such as online training platforms, government grants or partnerships with educational institutions can help to ease these issues.

Fast pace of digital transformation: The speed at which AI and related tech are evolving means that reskilling is a live, ongoing process. Keeping training programs up-to-date with the latest advancements requires a commitment to lifelong learning and a flexible approach to training and development.

Ensuring equal training access: There's a risk that reskilling opportunities might not be equally accessible to all employees, particularly those in lower-skilled roles or from marginalised groups. Ensuring that reskilling initiatives are inclusive is vital in preventing a widening skills gap.

Measuring the efficacy of reskilling: Developing metrics for success and regularly reviewing the outcomes of training initiatives is essential to ensure that employees are performing well, and meeting their objectives, in turn ensuring good commercial outcomes. The Training Industry provides a metrics template where reskilling efforts can be accurately measured and new areas of focus identified.

What the future holds for AI across workplaces

AI will continue to significantly impact workplaces as its progression speeds up substantial cultural and operational changes. Considerations for the future of AI in workplaces include:

Advancement in AI technologies: Enhanced sophistication in areas like natural language processing, machine learning and robotics will enable the automation of increasingly complex tasks. A number of companies are using AI to great effect in their recruiting strategies specifically. They include corporate giants such as Mastercard, Electrolux and Kuehne+Nagel, who are all bringing their vision to life with advanced automation, ethical AI and actionable real-time data.

Increased integration of AI across various sectors: Beyond technology-focused industries, AI will become integral to areas such as education, by making learning dynamic and personalised via the use of smart algorithms that understand each person's needs. It will also advance public services, where it will automate routine admin tasks, such as data entry, document processing and information retrieval, thus necessitating further widespread reskilling.

Emergence of new job roles: New positions focusing on supervising, guiding and enhancing AI systems will rise to the fore. Skills related to AI ethics, data governance and human versus machine interaction will also gain traction.  Conversely, there’s a school of thought around the hottest new jobs that don’t require knowing how to code, meaning there’s something for everyone as AI evolves. In fact, Forbes Technology Council has reported that AI is expected to create 12 million more jobs than it is expected to replace. Jobs are anticipated to be in high demand, with 97 million specialists needed in the AI industry by 2025.

Lifelong learning as standard practice: Given the rapid pace of technological evolution, continual skill updates will become imperative for all careers. Learning resource LearnDataSci has identified the nine best online AI courses Online for 2024, from beginner level to advanced.

Policy and ethical considerations: With the increased prevalence of AI comes heightened attention on policy issues like data privacy and biases in AI systems, meaning that professionals with expertise in these fields will be highly sought after. The EU AI Act highlights the importance of security in this field - as well as the Bletchley Declaration - so it will be interesting to see what the new UK government’s stance on AI ethical practice will be in the months to come.

Increasing emphasis on human skills: In a workplace dominated by AI, uniquely human abilities like empathy and problem-solving will be more valued than ever. These competencies will allow humans to collaborate with AI, rather than compete against it. For example, HumanSkills.AI is currently on a mission to build on human skills for the AI economy. This is because durable skills can help people to flourish in partnership with AI.

Global alignment: As AI transcends boundaries, it will become necessary for worldwide collaboration across AI education, ethics, policies and regulations. This will promote a more unified approach to mitigating the effects of AI on the labour force, weeding out the negative qualities and focusing on the best that this technology has to offer. The EU AI Act is already in place, but individual nations will need to follow suit, by putting policies in place that protect their own people while encouraging the safe development of AI.

In conclusion

The revolution brought about by AI invites us to rethink and transform work settings, presenting both big challenges and vast opportunities in equal measure. Through embracing reskilling and upskilling initiatives, individuals and companies can not only navigate the challenges posed by this new era, but also unlock its immense possibilities. It represents an opportunity to redefine traditional work conventions and strive towards what success looks like in the AI-driven world that is quickly coming our way.