A recent analysis of over a billion job postings by LightCast, a labour insight platform, has revealed a significant increase in the demand for artificial intelligence skills, with these roles also commanding higher average salaries.
Although there are increasing concerns that artificial intelligence is displacing jobs, the outlook for the labour market is not entirely negative, especially for individuals possessing AI competencies.
The July study revealed that many companies are employing workers who can utilise artificial intelligence, rather than replacing human roles with AI, according to a CNBC report.
AI skills imperative
LightCast, a labour insight platform, analysed over a billion job postings and discovered a surge in demand for AI skills.
Their analysis also revealed that jobs requiring AI skills offer higher average pay.
Elena Magrini, head of global research at LightCast, told CNBC:
Job postings are increasingly emphasizing AI skills and there are signals that employers are willing to pay premium salaries for them.
Job advertisements specifying at least one AI skill offered salaries that were, on average, 28% higher than those without any AI skills, equating to an annual increase of approximately $18,000.
For positions requiring a minimum of two AI skills, this premium rose to 43%.
The study identified customer and client support, sales, and manufacturing and production as the three fields commanding the largest premiums.
Easier to access
LightCast’s report identified over 300 AI skills, encompassing areas from AI ethics and generative AI to machine learning.
The study revealed that distinct career paths necessitate fundamentally different AI skill sets.
For instance, transportation roles often require autonomous driving expertise, while maintenance positions prioritise robotics capabilities.
Although many AI skills demand significant technical proficiency, the most frequently listed ones were often general, such as competence in using ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot.
According to Bridget Wong, head of human relations at Accenture Singapore, these fundamental skills are increasingly common and available in the job market.
Demand in non-tech jobs
The LightCast study revealed that the demand for AI skills is surprisingly higher in non-tech sectors compared to the IT and computer science fields, which are typically linked with AI.
The study also found a substantial increase of 800% in job postings mentioning generative AI skills for non-tech roles since 2023, the year OpenAI introduced ChatGPT.
Although IT and computer science continue to lead in sectors requiring AI skills, marketing and public relations secured the second position. This was followed by science & research, and social analysis and planning.
Magrini added:
It’s not just software developers or the data scientists that are benefiting from AI skills; It’s something people in everything from marketing to finance to HR should be thinking about.
Magrini emphasised that AI skills are becoming essential across all job functions and career paths, though the pace of adoption varies.
Therefore, a foundational understanding of AI is crucial for everyone.
AI is coming, but we don’t need to be scared. We need to be prepared.
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