Why AI Skills Are the Key to Future Career Success and Economic Growth

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept it is reshaping the global workforce at an unprecedented pace. By 2025, AI is expected to create 97 million new jobs worldwide. With industries rapidly integrating AI-driven solutions, professionals who invest in AI expertise today will be at the forefront of tomorrow’s economy.

Surging Demand for AI Skills

The job market reflects an explosive demand for AI expertise:

• AI Job Growth Outpacing Other Fields: Between 2012 and 2023, UK job postings requiring AI skills grew 3.6 times faster than all other job postings, increasing from three to nine per thousand job adverts (PWC).

• Global Hiring Trends: In Singapore, demand for AI-skilled professionals has grown 13.5 times faster than other roles, mirroring a worldwide surge in AI-driven careers (PWC).

• The Future of Jobs: According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, about 170 million new jobs will be created this decade, many requiring AI proficiency.

The rapid adoption of AI means individuals who build these skills now will be in high demand as companies race to integrate AI-powered solutions.

AI’s Impact on Job Evolution

Barret Kupelian, Chief Economist at PwC UK, highlights how AI is reshaping the labour market:

“Historically, big leaps in technology presage changes in the labour market. We are already seeing this happen. Our analysis suggests that the skills required by employers in AI-exposed occupations are evolving 25% faster than those in non-AI-exposed roles. As AI adoption accelerates, this trend will intensify creating new roles while reducing demand for some skills that AI can perform more efficiently.

“With 42% of UK CEOs stating they have implemented AI across their companies in the past year, it’s critical that current and future workers upskill for the AI era to ensure that technology is used responsibly and that its benefits are widely accessible.”

Educational Institutions: Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

Dr. Naila Marir, Assistant Professor at Effat University, stated: 

“At Effat University, one of the pioneering institutions offering a Bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, we understand that AI is more than a technological trend—it is a profound shift in how societies operate and economies evolve. As AI continues to disrupt and redefine every industry, from healthcare to finance, the need for a workforce skilled not only in technical AI competencies but also in ethical and responsible innovation becomes imperative.

Our curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between theory and application. Through rigorous academic training, active research, and strategic industry partnerships, we empower our students to not only build intelligent systems but also to critically evaluate their societal impacts. They gain direct experience in machine learning, neural networks, and explainable AI, making them agile, adaptable, and aligned with the future needs of the global workforce.

The demand for AI-literate professionals is accelerating. Those who invest in a robust AI education today will not only be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow—they will define them.”

The demand for AI expertise is growing, and those who invest in AI education now will be well-positioned for the careers of tomorrow.

To explore how AI education can future-proof your career, visit Effat University’s expert insights here.