Tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, in collaboration with Accenture, Eightfold, IBM, Indeed, Intel, and SAP, among others, have established a coalition to enhance the skills of workers for the artificial intelligence (AI) era. This initiative aims to address the pressing demand for professionals well-versed in AI technologies as job markets evolve. As AI continues to reshape industries and job functions, there is a growing necessity to equip workers with the requisite skills to thrive in AI-influenced environments.
Francine Katsoudas, the executive vice president and chief people, policy, and purpose officer at Cisco, a member of this consortium, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on the global workforce. She emphasized the significant opportunity for the private sector to facilitate the upskilling and reskilling of workers to navigate the future successfully. The group intends to engage various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and academic institutions, to ensure that the workforce is well-prepared for the AI revolution.
Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT have the potential to enhance productivity significantly but also pose challenges to the labor market. Reports suggest that automation could affect a quarter of jobs in the U.S. and Europe, particularly in legal and administrative sectors. While a substantial portion of employment in these regions is susceptible to AI automation, most workers are likely to retain their positions, with only a fraction facing potential job displacement due to significant task automation.
The newly formed AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium aims to offer guidance and training programs to assist businesses in adapting to the evolving landscape and empower workers to seize opportunities in the digital economy. The consortium plans to evaluate the impact of AI on 56 ICT job roles, providing practical insights and recommendations for employers looking to reskill and upskill their workforce for AI-enabled environments.
With an ambitious goal to train over 95 million individuals globally in the next decade, consortium members like Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, SAP, and Google have outlined specific targets for skills development initiatives. These include training millions of individuals in cybersecurity, digital skills, and AI to meet the demands of current and future job markets.
Ellyn Shook, chief leadership and human resources officer at Accenture, emphasized the importance of organizations investing in learning alongside technological advancements to create sustainable career pathways and maintain a competitive edge in the market. The impact of AI on the workforce, as highlighted in an IMF report, varies across economies, with advanced nations facing higher risks of job automation compared to emerging and low-income countries. This underscores the need for comprehensive upskilling efforts across industries to navigate the evolving landscape of work in the AI era.
