Enterprises’ rush to hop on the artificial intelligence (AI) train is being slightly derailed by a yawning skills gap.
Even though AI/machine learning (ML) remains the top investment priority for IT decision-makers, 65% said they continue to face skill gaps on their teams, and 56% expect things to persist for the next one to two years.
This has led to one-in-five IT decision-makers struggling to find and hire AI/ML talent.
These results, from digital learning company Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary Report, are based on data from more than 5,100 global IT decision makers and professionals.
“As AI technologies are further embedded into workplace operations and the demand for cybersecurity talent and leadership skills intensifies, it’s more important than ever that organizations adopt a proactive approach to skill-building,” Orla Daly, chief information officer at Skillsoft, said in an interview. “This involves not only investing in holistic training programs that encompass technical skills, leadership skills, and certifications, but also fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation with opportunities to put new skills into practice.”
The rub is that only 44% of IT decision makers expect budgets to increase next year, compared with 56% a year ago, prompting IT leaders to place a greater emphasis on upskilling. Some 72% say they’ll do so by training existing staff, up from 45% last year.
“Upskilling continues to be a challenge,” Daly said. “People want to learn in a multi-modal way, either through labs, video, in-person training, or mentoring among peers.” This model has led to knowledge gains in automation, cybersecurity, infrastructure and cloud costs, she added.
Daly says organizations should consider pursuing a blended learning approach, through a mix of online and in-person training. IT pros, for example, are increasingly relying on a mix of IT/tech certifications (67%), technology skills (66%) and soft skills (56%) for both individual career growth and organizational success in today’s competitive landscape.
Nearly all (97%) IT decision-makers stressed certified staff adds value to organizations, especially in bridging organizational skill gaps (49%), resolving issues efficiently (49%) and boosting productivity (48%).
Respondents identified the top five leader skills are team communication (74%), problem solving (70%), critical thinking (70%), interpersonal communication (66%) and technical skills (62%).
While a quarter of professionals said they were “extremely satisfied” with their jobs, 61% were still likely to look for a new job in 2025.
“Every company is a software-development company,” Daly said.
Much is at stake for corporate America and how it handles AI, particularly as it competes with China with a new presidential administration. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to levy heavy tariffs on China while ratcheting back regulation on AI that would include the ousting of Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan.
By one estimate, AI is projected to add a staggering $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Yet only 37% of executives believe their genAI applications are production ready, citing obstacles such as cost (41%), skills (40%), quality (37%), and governance (33%), according to a report from Databricks and Economist Impact.
