Renowned North Florida news reporter, Jane Sheppard, here with some pressing tech news that will affect many right here in Suwannee County. Buckle up, folks, because we’re in for a wild ride.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), we should anticipate that around a quarter of global jobs will evolve in the next five years, spurred by the rise of AI. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts an even larger impact, with 60% of jobs in advanced economies potentially exposed to this transformative technology.
These statistics may not seem alarming at first glance, but when you consider the sheer number of individuals this could impact – we’re talking billions of lives – it’s clear that tech companies are on high alert.
The New AI Consortium
In response to these projections, nine of the globe’s tech giants are banding together to address AI’s influence on the tech workforce. This newly formed alliance is known as the AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium.
Cisco is spearheading the consortium, with heavyweights such as Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP on board. The collective aim is to stay ahead of the rapidly growing and evolving AI wave, offering skilling and upskilling opportunities to help workers adapt.
Many of these companies have already set skills training goals, aiming to reach more than 95 million individuals over the next decade. This includes Intel and IBM commitments specifically relating to AI. Despite their individual efforts, these tech companies recognize that tackling AI’s impact on the workforce requires a united front.
The Future of Jobs
The formation of the consortium was inspired by discussions within the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force, in which Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins participated.
According to Fortune 500 data, the nine consortium companies collectively employ more than 1.75 million people and generate over $805 billion in annual revenue. Their first phase of work will focus on evaluating AI’s impact on a variety of job roles in information and communication technology, providing actionable training insights for business leaders and workers.
Interestingly, Hannah Calhoon, head of AI innovation at Indeed, pointed out that nearly one in five jobs on Indeed are considered to be “highly” exposed to generative AI. This means that AI technology is believed to be capable of performing at least 80% of those jobs’ skills.
Upskilling for the Future
According to the WEF, more than half (58%) of workers believe that the skills their job requires will change significantly in the upcoming years. Therefore, continuous training and upskilling will be crucial for those in tech fields.
Upskilling with AI can take many forms. While many courses today focus on broad topics like machine learning or large language models, there’s an increasing need for functionally-specific courses that cater to practical job roles, such as AI for marketers or healthcare workers.
Whether you’re a truck driver or a software engineer, the rise of AI is poised to disrupt job roles across the board, making upskilling an essential part of the workforce’s future.
As I always say, knowledge is power. And in this case, it could very well be the key to navigating the ever-changing landscape of our increasingly AI-driven world. Stay informed, stay adaptable, and stay resilient, Suwannee County.
