The need for experts in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, and Cohere’s Coral has shot up a whopping 450% from last year. This jump in demand comes from a recent report by the well-known freelance work hub, Upwork.
AI Skills on the Rise
Upwork’s platform features a growing list of 294 skills under “AI Services.” The roles that are quickly gaining popularity are prompt engineers, AI content creators, machine learning specialists, data wizards, AI chatbot developers, and pros in model tuning and AI model integration, shares Dave Bottoms, a bigwig at Upwork Marketplace.
In 2023, AI hires grew faster than any other category on Upwork. This is based on the total number of folks hired in the first half of the year.
Generative AI: The Future of Work
Generative AI, a type of AI, uses data analytics, chat processes, network systems, and machine learning to create text, pictures, videos, and even computer code all by itself.
“Companies are searching for independent pros on Upwork who know their way around AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Jasper, and more,” Bottoms said. These jobs have grown 230% in Q2 2023, as compared to Q4 2022.
How Upwork Helps Clients and Job Seekers
Upwork has come up with its own AI-based tool to help clients make custom job posts quickly. It has also introduced a chatbot to guide newbies on the platform, helping them to get their talent hunt going.
The company also gives out proposal tips to help talents craft better proposals in no time, increasing their chances of getting work.
What’s more, Upwork now offers a free trial of its Jasper generative AI services, which aids in copywriting, marketing, and image creation.
Other Job Platforms Following Suit
Josh Brenner, the head of job-search platform Hired, shares that since the start of 2023, the demand for AI-related engineers has risen. The demand saw a small dip from January to February, but then bounced back.
Python, machine learning, AWS, SQL, and Java are the top skills employers are looking for.
The Future: Prompt Engineering
Cangrade, an AI-based hiring platform, recently launched a new prompt engineering test to help companies build future workforces.
Prompt engineering is a crucial skill for the future workforce, shares Cangrade CEO Gershon Goren. But it’s almost impossible for companies to test this skill unless they’re experts themselves.
Tackling the AI Skills Gap
Many HR managers plan to tackle the AI skills gap by providing extra training to current employees (58%), and also by investing in AI training tools (58%). A good chunk of them (41%) are looking to hire new employees, while a huge majority (85%) plan to invest in training existing employees on AI.
Actively Seeking AI Talent
The demand for engineers skilled in AI and Machine Learning is high, says Bryan Powell of global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners. In addition, non-technical jobs also seek AI skills.
Powell suggests that to attract and retain AI talent, companies should focus on work-life balance, growth, and learning opportunities, and foster an inclusive, positive, and transparent company culture.
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