92% of Tech Jobs Require Reskilling as AI Shapes the Future of Tech

A new report from Cisco, Microsoft, and Google states that 92% of ICT roles will undergo significant changes due to advancements in AI.

The technology continues to transform the information and communications sector.

The AI-enabled ICT Workforce Consortium, led by Cisco has published the “Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs” report, offering guidance on the areas for of concern for workers to reskill in response to the evolving job landscape.

This transformation will impact professionals in 47 ICT roles, including cybersecurity, data science and software development.

Entry-level and mid-level ICT professionals are at the forefront of this AI transformation with 40 per cent of mid-level positions and 37 per cent of entry level expected to see high levels of transformation.

The report also shows a 323 per cent increase in the demand for AI-skilled talent over the past eight years, backing up a previous study by the World Economic Forum showing that 58 per cent of employees will see significant changes in their roles in the next five years due to AI and big data advancements.

The rapid development of AI tolls such as ChatGPT highlights the increasing importance of specific skills like AI ethics and large language models, while basic programming and language skills are becoming less crucial.

Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group said: “Upskilling and reskilling have always been central to workplace training to empower staff to maximise the latest developments in technology and innovative thinking, and the AI wave is the latest cycle driving this. AI isn’t here to displace jobs, it’s here to transform them, augmenting the work that staff are doing through automation and freeing them up for higher-value activity. As part of training initiatives, organisations should implement experiential learning to give people hands-on experience with the AI tools they’ll be using in their day-to-day. Especially with entry-level positions set to be reshaped by AI, it’s vital that the incoming generation to the workforce are equipped with the latest skills to harness AI.”

The UK government has committed to reskilling existing job roles through a £6.4 million Flexible AI Upskilling Fund, aiming to close the skills gap in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

Laura Lodwick, Chief for UK Talent for AND Digital, said: “As businesses continue to jump on the AI train, it’s essential they invest in digital skills training, upskilling and reskilling to enable staff to keep up with the evolving landscape. AI can bring transformational benefits, but not without the right oversight and skills to maximise its benefits in a safe and trustworthy way. When businesses invest in AI development and adoption, that should come alongside staff training, taking a people AND innovation approach to ensure that staff feel comfortable as their roles evolve. With that, AI will bring exciting new opportunities for the workforce and the people with the skills to channel it.”

To address the skills gap, Cisco plans to train 25 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032.

Other tech giants are following this with IBM aiming to upskill 30 million people by 2030, including 2 million in 2026 and Microsoft set to train and certify 10 million people in digital skills by 2025.