TLDR: A new study by the AI Workforce Consortium, spearheaded by Cisco, reveals that 78% of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) roles now demand AI technical skills, with AI-related positions dominating job growth. The consortium, comprising major tech companies, has committed to upskilling and reskilling 95 million individuals globally over the next decade to address critical skill gaps and foster responsible AI adoption.
San Jose, California – A groundbreaking report released by the AI Workforce Consortium, led by networking giant Cisco, has unveiled a significant transformation in the global technology landscape, indicating that artificial intelligence (AI) skills are no longer a niche requirement but a fundamental necessity for the vast majority of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) jobs. The study, titled ‘ICT in Motion: The Next Wave of AI Integration,’ found that a staggering 78% of ICT roles now incorporate AI technical skills, marking a dramatic increase from previous years.
The consortium, a powerful collaboration of industry leaders including Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP, analyzed extensive job posting data from July 2024 to June 2025 across G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States). The findings underscore that AI is not merely an add-on but a core component of tech jobs, with seven of the top ten fastest-growing ICT roles being AI-related, such as AI/ML Engineer, AI Risk & Governance Specialist, and NLP Engineer.
The report highlights critical skills gaps in emerging areas like generative AI, large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, AI ethics, and security. Demand for skills in AI Governance has surged by 150%, and AI Ethics by 125%, reflecting a growing need for expertise at the intersection of technology, law, and ethical considerations. Specific technical skill demands have seen exponential growth, with AI security up 298%, foundation model adaptation up 267%, and responsible AI up 256%. Regionally, Silicon Valley leads AI job growth with a 156% increase, followed by London and Toronto.
However, the study emphasizes that technical proficiency alone is insufficient. Human skills such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking are gaining equal priority, particularly for responsible technology adoption. As AI systems become more integrated into daily operations, the ability to navigate ethical dilemmas and foster inclusive environments is deemed essential.
To address these burgeoning skill gaps, the AI Workforce Consortium has made a monumental commitment: to upskill and reskill 95 million individuals worldwide over the next decade. In support of this ambitious goal, the consortium is introducing new resources designed to empower both workers and organizations. These include an AI Workforce Playbook, a comprehensive guide to align workforce development with business and AI goals; updated learning recommendations featuring over 200 curated courses for job-specific guidance on emerging technical and AI skills; and an AI Skills Glossary, aimed at standardizing AI terminology across education, industry, and policy.
“We know from this year’s report, along with past analysis, that skills demands and job requirements around AI are rising exponentially and will only continue to grow,” stated a Cisco representative. “But AI demand in technical roles also brings an increasing need for human skills alongside it, and an urgency for organizations to develop the workforce for the future. Preparing organizations and their people for that culture of agility and adaptability will be essential to thrive and succeed.” Ashutosh Garg, Co-founder and CEO of Eightfold AI, added, “The 2025 ICT report emphasizes just how fast organizations are hiring and upskilling talent to support AI initiatives.”
Also Read:
- Organizations Prioritize AI Workforce Development: Strategies for Reskilling and Upskilling Employees
- Accenture’s AI-Driven Transformation Creates New Avenues for Indian Tech Talent
This report serves as a clear call to action for individuals, educators, and organizations to adapt swiftly to the AI-driven future, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of harnessing AI’s potential responsibly and effectively.
