A recent survey on ‘Future of the Skills Landscape 2024’ by Hero Vired has revealed concerns about job redundancy due to emerging technologies. The survey, conducted among two lakh individuals, consisting of students, working professionals and academicians found uneasiness among 82 per cent of working professionals regarding the impact of evolving technologies on job security.
Interestingly, despite these concerns, 78 per cent of the workforce recognise upskilling as a proactive strategy to navigate the changing work landscape.
The survey delved into the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping career trajectories. While 39 per cent of respondents believed that knowledge of AI influences career growth opportunities within their current organisations, 43 per cent expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of adequate AI training provided by their employers.
Commenting on the findings, Akshay Munjal, Founder and CEO, Hero Vired, said, “The report captures the sentiments and priorities of professionals and graduates amidst a dynamic and volatile job landscape. It illuminates concerns tied to technological changes and the urgency to upskill in order to address these challenges. Also, as professionals and companies alike are placing the long-due focus on sustainability, fitness and mental health, job roles in these sectors will be in demand. Through our platform, we aim to address the skill gaps prevalent in the country through new-age courses that aim to make professionals future-ready for the 21st century and Industry 4.0.”
The emergence and impact of generative AI, exemplified by the late 2022 launch of ChatGPT, have sparked discussions in corporate boardrooms and households alike. Notably, 90 per cent of respondents predict AI to be the most in-demand skill in the next five years, out of which a striking 80 per cent anticipate AI to be the highest-paying job within the same timeframe.
The survey also revealed a consensus on the three most sought-after emerging technology skills in the next five years. AI (90.12 per cent) takes the lead, followed by cybersecurity (52.91 per cent), and data analysis (63.37 per cent). Machine Learning (ML) (48.84 per cent) and coding (4.70 per cent) remain crucial, while web and application development (30.23 per cent) and extended reality (28.49 per cent) also exhibit notable relevance.
The report also shed light on the frequency and preferences for upskilling. Out of the working professionals in the age group of 18-55, both from metro and non-metro cities, 43.5 per cent expressed the need for upskilling every six months. Besides, 83 per cent of the respondents believed that upskilling, particularly in AI, will enhance their job opportunities. Moreover, with ed-tech platforms revolutionising education and enhancing accessibility, 81 per cent of respondents who upskilled themselves last year, opted for online courses in their learning journeys.