Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seized the spotlight, constituting a substantial 27 percent of all technology-related job postings in the United Kingdom.
This revelation comes from a comprehensive study conducted by Thomson Reuters, a global content and technology leader, which analysed 6,073 currently advertised tech positions online in January 2024.
The surge in demand for AI talent has been particularly pronounced over the past year, fuelled by the ascendancy of generative AI (Gen AI) tools.
These tools have proven instrumental in enhancing productivity and efficiency across diverse sectors, sparking a paradigm shift in workforce requirements.
Thomson Reuters’ research underscores not only the proliferation of AI-centric roles but also a palpable acknowledgment of the strategic value of Gen AI tools by business leaders.
An overwhelming 91 percent of C-suite executives affirm that their companies either currently utilise Gen AI tools or have imminent plans to incorporate them within the next 18 months.
AI training to become mandatory
In addition to this, the study brings to light an expectation shared by nearly 90 percent of respondents – the anticipation that basic AI training will become mandatory for all professionals within the next five years.
Sectors poised to reap the maximum benefits from Gen AI include the legal, tax, and accounting professions. Among these, 75 percent and 59 percent respectively prioritise boosting productivity as their paramount objective for the year 2024.
Novel AI-specialised roles are emerging, particularly in the legal profession, with positions such as ‘Head of Large Language Models’ and ‘Global Knowledge Systems Architect’ gaining prominence in recent recruitment drives. This trend is anticipated to persist throughout 2024 as businesses strive to recalibrate their workforces and processes to harness the full potential of AI technology.
Demand is accelerating
Mary Alice Vuicic, a representative from Thomson Reuters, remarked, “Demand for AI skills across professions is accelerating at a remarkable pace. AI-focused job requirements have transitioned from being relatively limited to constituting over a quarter of all new IT roles in a very short span.”
“In 2024, Generative AI will permeate all aspects of work, facilitating augmentation, automation, and the redefinition of roles and organisations. Our research indicates that business leaders recognise the immense value this technology presents, both as a tool for internal transformation and a competitive advantage.”
“As AI capabilities continue to grow, we anticipate an unprecedented wave of upskilling and reskilling, where Adaptability Quotient (AQ) becomes as, or even more, important than IQ and EQ. Organisations will not only need to embrace change but actively participate in shaping and directing it. New roles will emerge, such as Integrators, responsible for transforming the design of work to seamlessly incorporate technology and elevate human work, and Reskillers, tasked with rapidly training and developing people for the unique roles that humans are positioned to excel in. The innovative AI roles being created today are set to play a vital role in the growth, innovation, and efficiency of tomorrow’s business.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
