Generative AI has already been one of the most talked about technologies in the world of work as it will change how we work. On LinkedIn, we are seeing a 70% global increase in conversations about AI between December 2022 and September 2023 which shows the appetite for this technology.
In Australian businesses, we are starting to see the impact of AI play out as the demand and supply for workers with AI skills has increased.
Our recent Global Talent Trends Report shows that job posts mentioning AI grew by 10% in Australia. In this era of rapid evolution, there are three key takeaways for Australian businesses to leverage AI and stay ahead.
Adopt a skills-first mindset
We are seeing large-scale skills shifts in Australia. Skills for jobs have undergone a 27% change in Australia since 2015.
Propelled by substantial advancements in AI, the rate of change has surged, projecting a 65% change in skills globally by 2030. We are seeing a greater demand for AI skills.
Our recent Future of Work AI Report highlights the highest demand for AI skills and literacy in professional services, administrative and support services, and government administration.
Bringing a skills-first approach to the centre of talent management is the surest way to expand your talent pools, upskill your current employees, and build agility into your workforce.
Businesses should look at creating a company culture that rewards what employees already know and inspires them to learn new, high-demand skills. AI will accelerate workforce learning, and heighten the importance of skills.
What’s great is that employees have already expressed significant interest in upskilling, and going the extra mile to gain AI-related skills because they know it will benefit them in the future. In Australia specifically, the rate of members who added AI skills to their profiles is over 11x.
Enormous growth that is only expected to rise in the coming years.
Soft skills will be key
Whilst AI is leading to unprecedented transformation and productivity, it magnifies the significance of distinctly human skills or soft skills. Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work – skills such as problem-solving, communication, or critical thinking.
While technical skills can change constantly, soft skills remain with you throughout your career.
Soft skills are going to become increasingly important in the future world of work, with 94% of business executives in Australia recognising their significance.
This signals an exciting possibility, where people skills become more essential to individual success and where people-to-people collaboration becomes more essential to company success.
LinkedIn’s recent consumer survey found that the top soft skills that will be important in the age of AI are problem-solving, time management, adaptability & resilience, and strategic thinking.
Redefine career opportunities
AI presents a unique opportunity for businesses to look at how their employees want to grow and redefine their career paths. A one-size-fits-all approach to a career is no longer going to work as what people want from work has changed.
This rings true for Gen Z in particular – a generation that holds very different priorities when it comes to work and are digital natives. They want career mobility so they can make work, work for them.
LinkedIn data shows that Gen Z and Millennials feel more confident about AI helping move their career forward and are more likely to engage in conversations about how it will impact their jobs.
The excitement and interest in AI among Gen Z is uplifting when we consider that they face higher exposure to disruption from AI-assisted technologies. In Australia, Gen Z are 20% more likely to learn AI skills than Gen X.
The transformative effect of GAI on the workforce is likely to penetrate well beyond the technology industry.
One of the positives of this widespread adoption of AI across industries is that it may create the potential for greater job mobility for professionals across a wider array of industries.
Professionals who embrace AI literacy will find that their knowledge and skills will become more transferable, accelerating a trend that we’re already seeing of professionals pivoting roles.
We are in the early days of a new era for work, and what it ultimately becomes is up to us. Together we can shape work in the age of AI to be more human and more fulfilling.
Written by Matt Tindale, Country Manager of LinkedIn Australia and New Zealand
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