The demand for specialized AI skills such as AI security, foundation model adaptation, responsible AI, and multi-agent systems has surged dramatically, with increases ranging from +245% to +298%, reflecting a shift from traditional chatbots to autonomous agents.

This rapid growth in AI expertise underscores the urgent need for professionals skilled in AI ethics, governance, and security to develop responsible AI solutions amid ongoing technological advancements.

To address this skills gap, the AI Workforce Consortium is committed to upskilling and reskilling 95 million individuals globally over the next decade, supported by resources like an AI Workforce Playbook, an AI Skills Glossary, and curated learning recommendations.

The report highlights the critical need for organizations and governments to invest in AI education and establish ethical standards to harness AI’s benefits while addressing skills gaps and governance risks.

Major industry leaders including Google, IBM, Intel, and Cisco are actively involved in these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of integrating technical expertise with human skills to foster responsible AI deployment.

Silicon Valley continues to lead global AI job growth with a 156% increase, followed by emerging hubs like London, Toronto, Manchester, Lyon, and Vancouver, each experiencing over 70% growth in AI-related employment.

AI skills are increasingly integrated into ICT roles across G7 countries, with 78% of roles now requiring AI competencies, and seven out of the ten fastest-growing ICT positions being AI-related, such as AI/ML and NLP engineers.

There is a significant skills gap in technical areas like generative AI, large language models, prompt engineering, and AI security, alongside a rising emphasis on human skills like communication, leadership, and collaboration to ensure responsible AI adoption.