The Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs

AI represents a never-before-seen opportunity for technology to benefit humankind in every way. It’s changing everything – especially the way we work. Preparing the global workforce for the advancements of AI technology is not just a business objective at Cisco. It’s arguably one of the most impactful ways to power an inclusive future for all. It’s why our Cisco Networking Academy work is so crucial – 20.5 million students trained worldwide and counting! It’s also why I’m so proud of our leadership role with the AI-Enabled Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Workforce Consortium (the Consortium). Every customer and world leader I meet is seeking to understand, “How can we make AI a force for good for our people, and not a threat?” Today, the Consortium released its inaugural report to start addressing this crucial question. 

The AI-Enabled ICT Consortium

Launched in April 2024, the formation of the Consortium was a bold and determined move to shape and secure the future of our industry and people. The Consortium is a voluntary, coordinated effort led by Cisco in collaboration with industry leaders Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft and SAP. We’re guided by advisors from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, CHAIN5, Communications Workers of America, DIGITALEUROPE, the European Vocational Training Association, Khan Academy, and SMEUnited and our shared goal is to proactively plan for the transformational impact of AI on ICT jobs, employees and employers.

Every Job Becomes an AI-Influenced Job

The Consortium’s report, “The Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs,” is a first-of-its-kind look at how AI intersects with our global ICT workforce, focused on practical suggestions for targeted training programs and skills for 47 different ICT roles. Here are some of the top takeaways from the report:

• 92 percent of ICT jobs analyzed are expected to undergo either high or moderate transformation due to advancements in AI.
• Entry-level and mid-level ICT professionals are at the forefront of AI transformation with 40 percent of mid-level positions and 37 percent of entry level positions expected to have high levels of transformation.
• As AI continues to redefine job functions, certain skills will rise in importance (AI ethics, responsible AI, prompt engineering, AI literacy, Large Language Models architecture and agile methodologies, etc.), while others may become less relevant (traditional data management, content creation, documentation maintenance, basic programming and languages, and research information).

The promise of AI is extraordinary, and the Consortium is committed to helping workers across ICT roles benefit from its potential. This work begins with identifying and enabling the new skills and training needed for AI preparedness.

Access to the AI-fueled World Through Training

By investing in a long-term roadmap for an inclusive and skilled workforce, we can help all populations participate and thrive in the era of AI. Through their individual organizations’ commitments, the combined Consortium will train and upskill 95 million people over the next 10 years. With AI-driven educational tools, we can create learning experiences that cater to individual needs and learning styles. We can also help democratize learning – making reskilling and upskilling more efficient, personalized, and productive.

Elevating the Human Experience

Today’s report is the first milestone in our work to empower professionals to flourish in an AI-driven landscape. It’s a practical guide for giving global populations access to the skills and training they need to secure family- and community-sustaining jobs. But it’s also filled with vision and inspirational research about the opportunity to unlock human potential with AI adoption, through:

• Innovative solutions that automate repetitive tasks, freeing human expertise for higher-level analysis, creativity and innovation while improving productivity and job satisfaction.
• Inclusivity and economic upward mobility as AI democratize data access in the workplace, creating opportunity for workers to contribute and advance regardless of their background.
• Learning agility as AI-powered tutors help maximize upskilling with seamless, real-time access to knowledge and resources
• Economic growth by providing opportunity for innovation, productivity and streamlined processes.

The Risk of Inaction

Preparing the global workforce for the AI-driven future is essential for fostering economic growth, social equity, and technological innovation. The risks of an under skilled and unprepared workforce range from economic wage gaps to trade imbalances, technological stagnation, social and ethical issues, and national security threats. Even with that as a backdrop, Cisco’s AI Readiness Index shows that only 14% of organizations are fully prepared to leverage AI-powered technologies, with more than half admitting serious concerns if they fail to act soon.

The Consortium’s report about the impact of AI on ICT jobs is a unique and differentiated piece of work that gives companies and workers a useful guide to the exact skills needed to not just circumvent risks, but to flourish. The AI training recommendations couldn’t be clearer, timelier or more urgent.

Today’s report is more than an analysis, it’s also an “ask.” As AI transforms job functions, there is a pressing need for a coordinated effort by governments, educational institutions, and industries to invest in AI education, training, and lifelong learning programs. The AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium calls for organizations to proactively lean into this transition and support those at risk of being left behind. The “Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs” report is now available to all as a roadmap for our collective journey to an inclusive – and elevated – future for all.

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