Artificial intelligence continues to be one of the hottest topics of discussion among IT & tech engineering leaders. The biggest concerns being how artificial intelligence will impact the workforce, specifically raising questions such as: Will it replace jobs and erode our need for certain skills? Will it make our work easier or harder? Or, how many new skills must our workforce learn to effectively use this evolving technology?
When researching these concerns, one outcome is clear: how AI impacts each organization is not one-size-fits-all, so the approach to staffing in terms of incorporating AI skills into the workforce will take careful consideration and meticulous review. While there are efficiencies to be realized, major factors to consider are maintaining a positive culture, the growing need for soft skills, and most importantly, embracing the human ingenuity that has been bedrock to the historical advancement of technology. As AI continues to shape the industry, IT recruiting and staffing experts, like Prosumprovide guidance to valued clients on emerging trends that affect the IT talent landscape and nurturing a culture of adaptability that will position them to be successful as needs evolve.
Focusing on the collaboration between hiring and IT teams can lead to comprehensive strategies that align talent acquisition with technological advancements. Asking the right questions for how an organization wants AI to be integrated, addressing team concerns about the impact of AI, and having open dialogues with candidates are critical steps to creating a diverse and agile workforce capable of adapting to new challenges.
To continue the conversation, below we have shared varying perspectives related to the top concerns heard in the IT staffing industry as it pertains to the rising influence of AI.
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Will AI Replace Jobs?
Arguably the most debated topic revolving around the development of artificial intelligence, is whether it will replace jobs. AI has already transformed various functions throughout the IT & engineering industries, the most prominent example of this is at IT help desks. AI has helped improve the speed, accuracy, and service of IT help desks, mostly on problems that have occurred frequently in the past.
You will find many schools of thought here, some of which are foreboding warnings, others who see that tech advancements have historically led to a new crop of professions we didn’t expect. Certain industry analysts argue that the experiences typically gained by professionals, especially those at entry-level positions, may diminish due to AI taking over many tasks, which could ultimately weaken the talent pipeline.
However, research shows that when AI is used to support workers rather than replace them, the technology ends up as a teaching tool that improves job performance, essentially strengthening the needed skills to advance in their profession. This means that workers can achieve tasks at a higher level of complexity with the addition of AI. Senior developers are also seeing big benefits from the addition of AI in their workplace because the technology acts as a partner – something that can be used as a backboard for thoughts.
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Is AI an Instant Boost to Productivity Across the Board?
A continual theory is that it is a given that AI will boost productivity and efficiencies while reducing costs by eliminating the number of humans on task. Yet, it is important to acknowledge that research shows AI does not affect every worker in an equal way.
For instance, evaluating the accuracy of the output after applying AI can sometimes increase worker time as AI is not always entirely accurate, therefore trusting the output without human oversight can raise some major risks to the task at hand.
With that being said, the idea that AI increases productivity across the board is debated, because in certain areas of the workplace it easily boosts productivity (mostly in routine, administrative tasks), but in other areas AI introduces the need for humans to learn a new set of skills that alters how they approach their work.
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How Is AI Shifting the Need for Certain Skills?
AI is changing the way that we conduct business, specifically by requiring humans to learn new skills that incorporate the use of this technology in the workplace. On a technical level, organizations are seeking IT pros with new programming language and framework proficiencies, machine learning expertise, and data skills like wrangling, preprocessing and more that will help in training AI models.
But some less technical roles have expectations that candidates can use or understand AI in some capacity, even if you are not actually developing AI programs and models. This includes being able to use prompts effectively for research, writing and also being able to navigate AI-driven programs used for project management and administrative tasks.
To this point, hiring managers are shifting their recruitment processes to look for the candidates that possess those new skills, or exhibit the promise to obtain strong AI skills through experience and training.
According to a survey of 190 HR professionals, 48% agreed that the demand for new skills is increasing more than existing talent structures can support. Because of this, recruiters are now looking to “hire candidates based on promise”, specifically shifting from talent based on proficiency to talent based on promise or potential. Hiring by promise means being able to spot a candidate that exhibits a high willingness and capability to learn new skills and processes.
While hiring based on promise alone can be tricky, securing candidates that show promise is becoming increasingly valuable as artificial intelligence enters the workplace and demands workers to adapt quickly to the new way of business.
Striking a Balance With AI in the Workforce
AI-driven tools and methodologies are now part of the everyday conversation. There are certainly benefits on the staffing and recruiting side, as firms can leverage AI tech for speed in identifying and matching candidates with the right roles while blending human touch points throughout the process. Additionally, encouraging an environment of continuous learning and development is key. Employees that consider upskilling or reskilling in AI and related technologies will see the benefit when it comes to standing out in the labor market.
Navigating the IT & engineering industry when artificial intelligence is such a sought-after capability for organizations can be overwhelming. However, understanding how it may or may not impact the current and future talent landscape is crucial. With the help of trusted and knowledgeable staffing and recruiting experts with a keen eye for skill evaluation in talent, hiring companies can remain competitive amidst technology’s rapid evolution. At Prosum, we help forward thinking companies find adaptable and high potential candidates ready to thrive in an evolving landscape and we support IT professionals ready to take the next step in their AI-integrated careers.
Whether seeking IT talent with potential for growth, or looking for new opportunities to apply your evolving skills, contact Prosum today for next steps.
