A recent survey reveals that while AI skills are in high demand, human-centric skills are equally crucial for job seekers in today's market, which currently has 8.1 million open positions in the U.S.
Upwork's report, based on U.S. freelancer earnings from January to October 2024, shows a 220% year-over-year surge in generative AI modeling and AI data annotation. However, career and development roles like personal and career coaching also saw significant growth (74%), highlighting the importance of adaptability and leadership as companies adapt to technological advancements.
The report identified the top three fastest-growing skills across various industries, emphasizing a blend of technical and human development skills. For accounting and consulting, the top skills were personal coaching, career coaching, and training and development. In coding and web development, scripting and automation, web design, and UX/UI were the fastest growing. Data science and analytics saw the most growth in AI data annotation and labeling, knowledge representation, and generative AI modeling.
Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute, emphasizes the rising importance of "learning skills" – specifically, the ability to learn, adapt, build resilience, and navigate change. She argues that the focus on AI should extend beyond efficiency and productivity. Instead, AI should be viewed as a tool for rethinking job roles, purposes, and the value individuals bring.
Monahan points out the abundance of resources available for skill development, citing platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as training offered by tech companies for their tools. This democratization of learning makes it easier than ever for job seekers to acquire the skills they need to compete in the current job market.