71% of employers prefer AI skills over relevant knowledge – study

Artificial intelligence or AI has been transforming industries immensely – that many employers now prefer applicants with AI skills to those with relevant experience, according to a study. 

LinkedIn and Microsoft’s 2024 Annual Work Trend Index (WTI) revealed that “71 percent say they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without.”

This finding could mean that AI skills might become more important than ever for jobseekers.

What were the other findings regarding AI skills?

Microsoft and LinkedIn surveyed 31,000 people in 31 countries for this year’s Work Trend Index. Despite the demand for AI skills, they learned that only 25 percent of employers intend to provide generative AI training in 2024. 

That is likely why only 39 percent of users have received AI training from their companies. In response, knowledge workers are finding ways to upskill.

READ: How to improve your LinkedIn profile with artificial intelligence

Nowadays, 75 percent of knowledge workers use artificial intelligence at work to save time, boost creativity, and focus on more important tasks. Moreover, 78 percent of AI-skilled workers are bringing their tools to work. 

That is why corporate leaders must catch up to the trend.

The Annual WTI revealed that 79 percent of leaders believe using artificial intelligence is essential to maintaining competitiveness; 59 percent worry about measuring the productivity gains of artificial intelligence; and 60 percent feel concerned that their organization doesn’t have a clear vision to implement this technology.  

“AI is democratizing expertise across the workforce,” said Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chairman and CEO.

“Our latest research highlights the opportunity for every organization to apply this technology to drive better decision-making, collaboration — and ultimately business outcomes.”

Further, 45 percent of respondents to the Annual WTI worry AI will take their jobs. Worse, a recent letter from CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski seemingly proves their concerns. 

“Our AI assistant now performs the work of 700 employees, reducing the average resolution time from 11 minutes to just two, while maintaining the same customer satisfaction scores as human agents.” 

Nevertheless, workers are responding to the artificial intelligence skills demand as LinkedIn reported a 160 percent rise in non-technical professionals learning them.

Even better, the jobseeker platform said a 142x increase in members adding artificial intelligence capabilities like ChatGPT to their profiles. 

Start your AI upskilling today by understanding the essentials in this other Inquirer Tech article.