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Universities and employers race to close the widening AI skills gap

From classrooms to boardrooms, the AI revolution is here—but are we ready? A stark new study exposes the costly gap between knowing and doing. Most employees see AI’s power but assume their jobs are safe. The data tells a different story.

There is a poster in which there is a robot, there are animated persons who are operating the...
There is a poster in which there is a robot, there are animated persons who are operating the robot, there are artificial birds flying in the air, there are planets, there is ground, there are stars in the sky, there is watermark, there are numbers and texts.

Universities and employers race to close the widening AI skills gap

Ohio State University is set to hire 100 new faculty with AI skills over the next five years. Meanwhile, a report warns of an 'AI blindspot' leaving individuals and employers at risk in a competitive marketplace. The report, 'Ready or not: The emerging gap between awareness and action in AI transformation', highlights a disconnect between understanding AI's impact and readiness for its effects.

The report, based on research with nearly 5,000 employees across the US, UK, Brazil, and India, found that many employees recognize AI's societal impact but believe it won't change their own job roles. This gap between awareness and readiness could pose a risk in the competitive job market. Udemy, the company that published the report, suggests that employer resources can help upskill workers, enabling them to prioritize personal and professional growth.

In the UK, schools will be given AI-generated minimum attendance targets as part of the government's aim to return to pre-pandemic levels. Ohio State University's plan to hire 100 new faculty with AI skills reflects a broader trend of organizations recognizing the importance of AI skills in the workforce.

The report highlights the need for employers to share specific examples of AI's impact to create urgency and help employees overcome 'AI blindspots'. With only 16% of UK workers confident in their AI skills, there's a clear need for upskilling. Udemy, partnering with HSM in Brazil, offers AI-powered learning to workforces, indicating a growing commitment to bridging the gap between AI awareness and action.

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