All observers agree today’s world of work is nothing like that of a few years ago. These days, 10% of working people hold jobs that didn’t even exist in the early 2000s, a figure that rises to 20% in the US.
From data analysts and full-stack engineers to frontend developers and social media managers, these professions bear witness to the growing influence of new technologies on the job market.
Artificial intelligence is amplifying this transformation: the job of AI engineer, for example, has shown impressive growth worldwide, topping the list of fast-growing jobs in countries such as the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK and the US.
Another fast-growing position is that of “head of AI”. In the US, the number of companies that have created this position has tripled in five years; in fact, it has grown by over 50% in the last two years alone.
If this momentum continues, it could double again within three to four years, according to LinkedIn – even as a recent report showed that employees in many countries, Malaysia included, fear AI could lead to job losses.
Nevertheless, LinkedIn CEO Daniel Shapero notes that companies are increasingly looking for professionals capable of integrating AI into their daily practices, whether to improve productivity or streamline decision-making. “There’s a feeling from employers that they need to make sure their workers are up for the changes that are about to occur in the labour market,” he told Business Insider.
What about soft skills?
In this context, mastering AI is now a key skill to remain competitive in the job market. This trend is prompting professionals across all sectors to turn en masse to platforms like LinkedIn to train or perfect their AI skills.
Even professions less likely to see the value of AI skills – like recruiters, sales, or healthcare professionals – are now seven times more likely to add them to their skill sets.
But is this development taking place at the expense of “soft skills”, the human qualities that are essential in the modern world of work? Far from it. Since 2018, their importance has increased by 10%, and in some sectors where they were once overlooked, their value has even climbed by 20%.
Communication, for example, was the most-sought skill for employers last year, according to LinkedIn. This enthusiasm for behavioral skills is owing to the fact that managers and companies have realised that AI reveals its full potential when used by humans who are capable of collaborating and adapting effectively.
Nevertheless, AI is reshaping the professional world at an unprecedented pace. While the future remains uncertain in the face of this revolution, preparing for it is essential. Those who invest now in adapting their skills won’t just be going with the flow – they’ll be at the forefront of this transformation.