Some of the major technology corporations worldwide, particularly those heavily involved in artificial intelligence, have established a coalition to tackle the repercussions of job displacement due to AI.
Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP, in conjunction with six advisors, have founded the AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium. The primary aim of this consortium is to assist individuals who have been or will be affected by AI-related job losses in either enhancing their existing skills or acquiring new ones to reintegrate into the job market. The consortium’s role includes facilitating affected workers in locating suitable training programs and bridging the gap between businesses and companies seeking individuals with their skill sets.
Cisco’s executive vice president and chief people, policy & purpose officer, Francine Katsoudas, expressed the consortium’s mission to educate organizations about the workforce implications of AI and equip employees with relevant skills.
The impact of AI adoption on the global workforce is undeniable. Various companies, such as UPS and IBM, have publicly acknowledged layoffs or recruitment freezes due to AI integration. In the United States alone, companies have eliminated over 4,600 positions as they transition towards hiring individuals with AI-related competencies or replacing roles with AI technology, as reported by Challenger, Gray & Christmas earlier this year.
Many of these job displacements are a direct result of the AI advancements introduced by participants in the ICT sector. While recognizing the inevitability of job losses and the potential for complete job replacement by AI, consortium members are optimistic that through upskilling and reskilling initiatives, affected individuals can explore new career opportunities.
The consortium’s collective objective is to have a positive impact on over 95 million individuals globally within the next decade. Although this target may seem ambitious, the companies have outlined specific strategies to achieve it:
- Cisco aims to train 25 million individuals in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032.
- IBM plans to equip 30 million individuals with digital skills by 2030, including 2 million in AI.
- Intel targets training over 30 million individuals in AI skills for current and future job roles by 2030.
- Microsoft intends to train and certify 10 million individuals from underserved communities in high-demand digital skills for employment opportunities in the digital economy by 2025.
- SAP aims to upskill 2 million individuals globally by 2025.
- Google has allocated EUR 25 million to support AI training and skill development across Europe.
It is important to note that these objectives are aspirational and may or may not be fully realized by the companies. The ICT faces significant challenges in achieving these goals.
To accomplish their mission, the companies plan to analyze the impact of AI on 56 undisclosed job roles, which constitute 80 percent of the top 45 job titles based on job postings volume since the previous year. Subsequently, they will provide recommendations on how to ensure that workers possess the necessary skills sought by ICT companies to attain their ambitious objectives.
