The top 10 AI skills employees need now

As the use of artificial intelligence in the workforce continues to evolve, certain AI skills will quickly become more valuable to organizations than others. 

Since January, more than 39,496 workers have already been let go, according to tracking website Layoffs.fyi, with many employers citing AI investment as the reason for cuts. To help tech workers and all employees stay ahead of the curve and make more money in the process, job search platform Indeed released its ranking of most in-demand AI skills. 

"In today's workplace, tech workers — and really, most workers — need to be adaptable as AI continues to impact the world of work," Donal McMahon, VP of data science at Indeed said in a release. "Everyone can benefit in learning about the basics of AI, as nearly every tech role now has to be an AI role." 

Read more: 13 tech companies that have cut the most jobs in 2024

In order to rank the desirability of the skills on the list, Indeed calculated the average salary for jobs with tech-specific skills posted in 2023. They then calculated the mean salary for jobs lacking those same tech-specific skills, and tallied the difference to determine the change in earning potential per skill. 

Understanding generative AI topped Indeed's list as the most desired and lucrative skill, with an average annual salary of $174,564 and an uptick in shared interest from both job seekers and employers. Generative AI powers programs like ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence capable of generating text, images or other data. Searches for generative AI jobs on Indeed have surged nearly 4,000% in the last year, according to Indeed, indicating a pronounced industry shift. 

Also on the list are computer science fields like computer vision, which involves teaching computers how to identify people and objects in photos or videos, as well as aptitude on AI programs such as Elixir, which allows engineers to build specific applications.

If this seems daunting for those not well-versed in tech-speak, McMahon stresses this can all be learned. Employers should also play a role in upskilling their current workforce to stay up to speed.  

"For those already working full-time, some effective methods for learning these tech skills include enrolling in online courses, attending boot camps, or participating in other training programs tailored to AI development," McMahon said. "Continuous learning and staying abreast of the latest advancements in AI are essential for success in this rapidly evolving field."  

See what other AI skills are in high demand and could help employees bolster their paychecks: