Jobs for AI specialists grew by 63% in less than a year

Dive Brief:

Job openings for artificial intelligence (AI) workers rose by 63% between January and September of 2018, according to CompTIA. This solid increase makes AI expertise one of the most in-demand skills, KPMG said in a new report.
KPMG noted that companies are competing to build and diversify teams that can move AI technology from the pilot stage to the solution stage. To achieve the task, the association said companies need the following five specialists: 1) AI architects to determine where AI can be injected and embedded in an organization; 2) AI product managers, who liaison with multiple business teams to make sure AI solutions are successfully carried out; 3) data scientists, with the skills to clean data and design and apply the correct algorithms; 4) software engineers to work with data scientists to get AI into production; and 5) AI ethicists responsible for establishing AI platforms that uphold organizations’ standards and codes of ethics.
KPMG said that AI is becoming one of the most prominent technologies across industries, but for businesses to recognize the advantages it offers, they must have right team in place.

Dive Insight:

A study by Optimized Workforce found that industries still aren't fully aware of the advantages of AI, and that only around 32% are currently exposed to some type of AI at work. This could explain why many companies don't have AI teams in place. The study also examined which industries have invested in AI and which aren't but should be. AI can address productivity, costs and efficiency — three things that drive businesses. Organizations that are still performing tasks that AI can handle more effectively, such as recruiting and benefits administration, may find they are behind their competition in adapting to the current market.

AI is especially rising in the recruitment space; some experts have said that AI could soon predict candidate potential — though it would still need a lot of honing by recruiters. Tech will play a leading role in talent management this year, experts told HR Dive, and it has already abbreviated the interview process so that employers can act quickly.

"AI will continue to help make this process more efficient," Scott Waletzke, vice president of enterprise solutions at Adecco USA, said, "while freeing up recruiters' time for more strategic or relationship-based work."