One of the key findings of the report is that human-centric abilities such as communication, interpersonal collaboration, and problem-solving were the most commonly requested skills in job postings worldwide
A new report reveals that demand for human skills, such as leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence, is now twice as high as the demand for technical skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The report, compiled by workforce agility solutions provider Cornerstone OnDemand, offers a detailed analysis of the growing need for specific skills, workforce trends over the last five years, and a forecast for the future.
According to the report, while AI and ML-related job postings have risen significantly, with AI and ML job listings up 65% since 2019 and those related to Generative AI (GenAI) surging by an extraordinary 411%, human skills still dominate the global job market. The demand for soft skills like leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence has outpaced digital skills, with these human-centered competencies now two times more sought after than digital expertise.
One of the key findings of the report is that human-centric abilities such as communication, interpersonal collaboration, and problem-solving were the most commonly requested skills in job postings worldwide. These skills were found to be essential not only in leadership positions but across various industries as they help foster innovation, teamwork, and adaptability in today’s rapidly changing work environment.
“Tracking the changing skillsets and workplace trends in real-time is crucial for organizations aiming to stay competitive and future-ready,” said Mike Bollinger, Global Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Cornerstone. He added, “This report not only highlights the workforce readiness gap, where skills are evolving faster than organizations and individuals can keep up, limiting innovation and adaptability, but it also underscores the importance of retaining critical human skills within organizations to navigate these changes.”
Despite the surge in AI/ML job postings, the report emphasizes that human skills are critical in shaping the future workforce. It suggests that companies should not only focus on hiring for technical expertise but also prioritize the development of soft skills to maintain competitiveness and foster innovation. Communication and collaboration, for example, are key to overcoming challenges in remote work environments and ensuring that teams remain cohesive and productive.
The report also highlights the rising interest in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, with job postings in these fields increasing by 154% over the last five years. This surge reflects growing interest in immersive technologies, particularly in industries such as gaming, healthcare, and education, where these technologies are being used to improve user experiences and create innovative solutions.
India has emerged as a leader in AI/ML talent, with 4.1% of job postings in the country related to AI/ML, marking its growing importance in the global AI landscape. Germany and Japan follow with 2.5% and 2.2% of job postings respectively, indicating a strong demand for AI/ML skills in these countries as well.
Notably, while GenAI skills are in high demand in industries such as software development and IT consulting, their applications are expanding into other sectors as well. Financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and banking are experiencing an increasing need for GenAI expertise as these industries seek to incorporate advanced technologies to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.
The report also delves into the increasing demand for remote and flexible work. Job postings requesting remote or flexible working conditions have risen by 39% globally. Australia leads the way with 22.8% of job postings advertising remote work opportunities, followed by Germany (21%), New Zealand (20.3%), the UK (18.8%), and the US (15%). Other countries, including Spain, Japan, and India, also show a growing trend toward remote work, although the percentage of job postings remains lower in these regions. In contrast, countries like France and Italy are at the lower end of the spectrum, with only 4.9% and 1.4% of job postings, respectively, offering remote work options.
The data for this report is drawn from over 200 countries and territories, incorporating job postings, resumes, government data, and other sources across 11 languages. This extensive dataset highlights the rapidly evolving global workforce and the need for both technical and soft skills in maintaining competitiveness and fostering growth in the future.
The findings of the report present a strong case for organizations to focus not just on hiring for digital skills but to place equal emphasis on developing and retaining essential human skills. As AI and ML technologies continue to evolve and reshape industries, leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence will remain the bedrock of successful teams and organizations. It’s clear that in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, the human touch still holds a critical role in achieving innovation and sustaining growth.
