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Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer in the business world, helping to drive efficiencies, spark innovation and unlock new growth opportunities. According to PwC, AI could add a staggering $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
As more companies embrace AI technologies, the demand for AI-skilled employees is skyrocketing. McKinsey’s latest data shows a 21-fold increase in job postings mentioning AI technologies like “ChatGPT” since these tools were introduced, highlighting the rapid integration and growing need for AI skills. According to a report from Skillsoft, more than one-third of C-suite leaders identified cybersecurity and AI as top investment areas for training.
Recognizing the growing field of AI and the need to capture these highly skilled workers for the U.S. workforce, the Biden administration issued an executive order highlighting the need for the U.S. to commit to the utilization of AI to promote innovation and competition within the global economy.
In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced initiatives to incorporate AI into its operations. This shift in utilizing AI to enhance the efficiency of the department will allow companies to have access to faster governmental processing, along with more consistent and fair decision-making in hiring foreign workers.
As AI continues to revolutionize how we work, the demand for AI expertise is on the rise across business sectors. According to the recent Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum, here are the top industries with the highest demand for AI skills:
As AI continues to reshape industries, HR managers face the critical task of preparing their workforce to thrive in this AI-driven future. Thought leaders like Andrew Ng, a prominent AI expert, emphasize the importance of education and training, stating, “AI is the new electricity. Just as electricity transformed every major industry a hundred years ago, AI will transform every major industry in the future.”
To help HR managers navigate this transformation, here are six proven strategies to effectively upskill your workforce for AI, including training and development programs, and tips for hiring foreign talent with AI expertise.
Begin by assessing the skills of your current workforce and identifying gaps that need to be filled to support AI initiatives. Collaborate with department heads and AI specialists to pinpoint the specific AI-related skills required for your business.
Getting started:
Design training programs that cater to varying levels of AI knowledge and expertise within your organization. This can include foundational courses for beginners and advanced technical training for more experienced staff.
Foster an environment where continuous learning is encouraged and valued. Providing ongoing support and resources for employees to expand their AI skills will help maintain their enthusiasm and commitment.
Encourage employees who have acquired AI skills to share their knowledge with colleagues. This can be done through mentorship programs, internal workshops and collaborative projects.
Given the global nature of AI, hiring foreign workers already skilled in AI provides an immediate impact, complementing your upskilling strategy and ensuring that your organization can tackle complex projects from day one.
Outline clear career development pathways for employees specializing in AI. This motivates employees to upskill and helps retain top talent by offering them a vision for their future within the company. Getting started:
Upskilling your workforce for AI is a first step that can propel your organization and open up new opportunities for efficiency, collaboration and growth. By identifying skills gaps, developing robust training programs and hiring experienced foreign workers, you can build a resilient and innovative workforce that’s ready to maximize the full potential of AI. As Andrew Ng aptly puts it, “The AI transformation is coming. Embrace it, and your organization will thrive.”
The White House calls for streamlined immigration policies for AI workers. A temporary policy that provided longer automatic extensions of employment authorization documents has expired. And the Major League Baseball playoffs highlight a trend involving visitors from Venezuela.
Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group.
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