The popularity of generative AI is often measured in the number of users and how quickly adaptation occurs, but there is another strong indicator: Job postings. According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics firm, companies such as Amazon, Siemens AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd. (PwC) and Ernst & Young Global Ltd. are leading the surge among companies seeking to hire talent to oversee their continued integration of generative AI.
In a press release on Nov. 22, 2023, titled “GenAI job postings surge in Q3, 2023, as businesses embrace AI transformations,” GlobalData states that the surge in job postings is expected to be sustained for years to come. “As companies are swiftly developing medium and long-term talent plans to adapt to the evolving work landscape driven by genAI, there is an increase in the number of job postings related to genAI.”
Ms. Sherla Sriprada, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, said, “This year has seen significant developments in the field of AI, particularly in genAI chatbots. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which gained mainstream popularity in late 2022, has spurred other companies to release their own AI tools.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 36,500 “Computer and Information Research” jobs in the U.S. in 2022, and the number of jobs in that classification is expected to grow 23 percent through 2032, which is a much faster growth rate than the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for the field is $136,620.
The jobs that GlobalData refer to fall under that classification by the Bureau. Amazon is seeking a senior data scientist for its Generative AI Data Center. The center is new, comprised of a strategic team that helps Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers implement GenAI solutions and “realize transformational business opportunities by Amazon.com Inc.”
The move to attract and hire talent, and to do it rapidly, is an indication that AI will become a game changer in the next decade. PwC recently released a “Global Artificial Intelligence Study” detailing the effect of generative AI in the workplace and in the global market. AI will increase the global GDP by 14 percent by 2030, contributing 15.7 trillion U.S. dollars, according to the report.
“What comes through strongly from all the analysis we’ve carried out for this report is just how big a game changer AI is likely to be, and how much value potential is up for grabs. AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined,” the report states. “Of this, $6.6 trillion is likely to come from increased productivity and $9.1 trillion is likely to come from consumption side effects.”
Robert Bosch GmbH, a global supplier of technology and services, is looking for a product manager/product owner for generative AI. The role “looks at shaping new AI products and solutions to solve business problems for customers and managing one or more GenAI products throughout their entire lifecycle . . .” The company has the structure in place to be one of the leaders, regarding deploying AI technologies, with the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence. In addition to that job posting, it is also seeking additional candidates for related positions, including a research scientist.
Indeed, the world’s top job site, lists data engineer and machine learning engineer as the second and eighth best jobs in 2023, respectively. Another position, director of data science, experienced 22% growth over last year. It is listed as 25th on Indeed’s list.
Mr. Seth Greenberg, vice president of program operations at online learning platform Springboard, said that as demand for qualified candidates continues to grow, anyone seeking to make a career in the field should adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of generative AI.
“As AI becomes more ingrained in various functions, the responsibility for upskilling extends to both individuals and employers,” Mr. Greenberg told Techstrong.ai. “The forward-looking organizations are not just embracing AI; they are leading the change and focused on looking around the corner, by asking themselves, ‘How can we identify and close AI-related skills gaps on our team?’”
Springboard operates bootcamps from software engineering, to cybersecurity, to UI/UX design, that have AI embedded into the curriculum and it has launched a machine learning engineering and AI bootcamp, in partnership with several universities, to help prepare individuals for the world of generative AI. The curriculum focuses on upskilling students to develop and deploy scalable machine learning models, while also exploring ethical considerations and learning how to build AI models that are fair, transparent and unbiased.
Mr. Greenberg added, “workers are eager to learn, with a recent survey of Springboard students finding that nearly half (48%) have heard of generative AI, but are not very knowledgeable about it. Meanwhile, 65% of students think learning how to use AI in the field they are studying is very important, but only 9% have taken a course on it.”
