The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), which has been very much in the spotlight this year with the emergence of ChatGPT, is continuously accompanied by discussions on the job market, potential risks and opportunities. Although AI can replace humans in certain positions, especially those involving repetitive and monotonous tasks, it simultaneously “generates” demand for a new category of specialists, conforming programmers to enhance and acquire new skills. Only 20% of representatives of IT companies and non-IT departments believe that today’s market skills are sufficient, according to a survey by the Sectoral Council for Competence – IT and Antal Companies.
“Many repetitive things that tire people out and can be automated are areas for AI applications. Yet, one must know how to describe their processes intending to automate them accurately, define our needs. Machine learning requires well-prepared data, hence the need for data preparation specialists. To get a good answer, we need to have good data upon which the algorithm operates,” says Wiesław Paluszyński, member of the Sectoral Council for Competences – IT
A study conducted earlier this year on the “Impact of developmental trends of new technologies on the competency needs of the IT sector” suggests that, according to 85% of respondents, new competencies will largely be required due to the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Slightly fewer, at 72%, believe the increase in demand for new qualifications will also be related to business process automation.
“In a company involved in programming, one needs to learn other tools for program creation. There is a need for specialists, analysts, good engineers who can appropriately plan the software production process. The company needs process specialists, the ability to properly describe the process we want to automate, sometimes link it with other processes taking place in the company. A data collection specialist, data updates, and their verification are needed to ensure they’re accurate. So AI won’t cause a sudden unemployment crisis for those with qualifications,” says Wiesław Paluszyński.
As competencies that will become necessary due to the implementation of AI-based solutions, surveyed managers most frequently pointed to machine learning (68%), Python (61%), and experience working with data science and artificial intelligence libraries (56%). At the same time, 65% of all surveyed (including 80% of IT sector managers) assessed that previously valued market competences will not lose their importance, and only the scope of their application will change. The skills believed to diminish in importance were most commonly related to the maintenance and conducting of documentation (22%) and competences in the area of working in programming environments (19%).
“We also have the software matter, and we still lack programmers. AI will not completely solve this problem because it will not yet write advanced software today, but simple programming functions or programming support is possible. Finally, cybersecurity: here, AI helps us analyze problems, information from various systems showing us where the threat is and also testing software. The testing systems and error collection from software, which were very complex and engaged many people, will now be much more efficient with the application of AI,” says the chairman of PTI.
Even though more companies are adopting low and no-code solutions (where individuals with little or no programming experience create, test and implement applications), this doesn’t equate to a lesser demand for programmers. Most such companies expect from them soft competencies, primarily analytical thinking, cooperation, and problem-solving.
“We will need competencies that are not subject to automatic processing. AI in this area will not replace the actual intelligence of the employee, and this is perhaps the most significant opportunity,” emphasizes Wiesław Paluszyński. “Such simple programming competences in the language of simple programming will disappear. However, the skills of using libraries, knowledge, modules, projects, i.e., everything that requires a broader, horizontal look at the application of technology, will be the competencies of the future needed. This will not happen revolutionarily overnight. Why? Because companies, i.e., those who want to use IT products and technology, have to mature to where and in which places this technology will help increase business opportunities.”
Paluszyński highlights a further area where new competencies will be needed: the ability to think prospectively about how a given company – small, medium, or large – can apply artificial intelligence and machine learning, and where these technologies can streamline operational activities.
“The only certainty in the IT sector is change. No one who has completed studies or programming course in a language could have assumed that they would perform such a profession with these skills for the rest of their lives. They could be sure of only one thing: that after some time, they must learn something else, they must develop. In this industry, it will be necessary to keep changing your skills, keeping up with technological development and market needs that want to take advantage of these technologies,” says Paluszyński.
Over three-quarters of surveyed managers agree that there are many opportunities to improve and change the competencies available in the market, but they will not fill all areas. Only one in five claims that the dominant competencies in the market today are sufficient. Importantly, the ongoing digital transformation means that even companies not directly related to the IT sector will need to focus more on digital skills and their employees’ qualifications in this regard.
This publication is part of the project “Establishing and operating the IT Sector Competence Council” co-financed from European Union funds under the European Social Fund Operational Program Knowledge Education Development.
