TL;DR:
- AI, once seen as a job threat, is now creating new job opportunities across industries.
- LinkedIn reports a surge in discussions and job listings related to AI and generative AI.
- “Prompt engineering” and similar terms have seen a 60% increase in mentions on LinkedIn profiles.
- Companies appointing a “head of AI” have tripled in the past five years, with a 13% increase since December 2022.
- Job search engine Adzuna identifies “prompt engineers” as a rising job trend for 2024.
- The UK has seen a significant increase in prompt engineer job ads.
- These engineers craft questions and prose to improve AI chatbot responses, with some earning high salaries.
- Various AI-related roles, including AI ethics officers and machine learning engineers, are in demand.
- The US has thousands of job listings seeking “generative AI” expertise and “machine learning” knowledge.
- Many of these new AI roles do not require a tech background.
Main AI News:
AI, once feared as a job-killer, is now reshaping the employment landscape. Early predictions foretold widespread job losses, particularly in fields like law and finance, as artificial intelligence advanced. However, amidst the apprehension, AI is also proving to be a catalyst for new job opportunities. Job listings for AI-related positions are burgeoning on various websites, and conversations about AI are surging on professional networks like LinkedIn.
Karin Kimbrough, chief economist at LinkedIn, noted a significant uptick in discussions related to AI on the platform in the past year. “Professionals and employers alike are rapidly embracing AI and generative AI across diverse industries. The pace of adoption is remarkable, surpassing previous technology trends like cryptocurrency and virtual reality,” she remarked. LinkedIn’s data revealed substantial increases in terms such as “ChatGPT,” “prompt engineering,” “prompt crafting,” and “generative artificial intelligence” on member profiles worldwide.
Intriguingly, LinkedIn reported a 60% surge in mentions of generative artificial intelligence and GAI products between January and September this year. Furthermore, the number of companies appointing a “head of AI” has more than tripled in the past five years, with a 13% increase since December 2022, according to LinkedIn data.
The trend is not limited to professional networks alone. Job search engine Adzuna has also witnessed the emergence of new job titles as generative AI gains momentum. “Prompt engineers are our hot take as the job for 2024,” declared James Neave, Adzuna’s head of data science. He highlighted how this role did not exist before generative AI took center stage, and now, companies are actively seeking individuals skilled in harnessing these new technologies. While the job openings for prompt engineers are currently limited, they are expected to grow as more companies seek to unlock the potential of generative AI.
In the UK, Adzuna data revealed a significant increase in the number of advertisements for prompt engineer positions, with seven active in October compared to none the previous year. Prompt engineers play a crucial role in developing AI chatbots by crafting questions and prose to enhance their responses. Remarkably, some of these roles offer salaries as high as $375,000, and they do not necessarily require tech degrees.
Beyond prompt engineers, Adzuna analysts noted a surge in job listings for various AI-related roles, including AI ethics officers, chief AI officers, AI auditors, AI trainers, and machine managers. Even machine learning engineers, a workforce that was already in short supply before the AI boom, saw a notable increase in average salaries from October last year.
In the United States, Adzuna’s data revealed that over 7,000 job listings now seek expertise in “generative AI,” while nearly 59,000 roles require knowledge of “machine learning.” Encouragingly, not all of these new roles demand a tech background, signaling the democratization of AI-related opportunities across diverse skill sets.
As AI continues to transform industries and create new avenues for employment, the job market’s landscape is evolving. While challenges persist, the rise of roles like prompt engineers and AI specialists underscores the dynamic nature of the workforce in the AI era.
Conclusion:
The rapid rise of AI-related jobs, such as prompt engineers, AI ethics officers, and machine learning engineers, reflects the transformative impact of AI on the job market. This trend signifies a growing need for specialized skills and expertise in the AI sector, offering diverse opportunities for professionals across different backgrounds. As AI continues to shape industries, companies that adapt and invest in AI talent will remain competitive in an evolving job market.
