7 Easy Ways You Can Skill Up for AI in 2024

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has captured minds and imaginations at an astonishingly fast pace. But the skills that businesses will need to put this technology to work in 2024 are sorely lagging.

Spending on AI technologies will top $550 billion in 2024, with a hiring gap estimated to approach 50% of all AI positions needed. At the same time, a LinkedIn analysis shows the rise of AI across the workforce is set to significantly transform more than half of all jobs, and the skills required to do all jobs will change by up to 65% by 2030.

For this reason, employers need to prioritize, promote, and encourage workforce learning. They are the linchpin to ensuring all workers have access to the resources needed to become AI literate.

Here, we’ll share some of our best AI learning content on Trailhead, Salesforce’s free online learning platform, to help you get the skills you need. 

The case for change

• A recent survey found 67% of global business leaders are considering using generative AI, but roughly the same number of IT leaders say their employees don’t have the skills to use it.
• The AI skills gap compounds a broader digital skills crisis. In a global survey of more than 23,000 workers, nearly three-quarters of respondents said they lack the necessary resources to learn the digital skills they need to succeed in the current and future workforce.

What you can do now

Skill up with Trailhead content on AI.  I run content for Trailhead, which breaks down barriers to learning and provides anyone with access to learn in-demand skills. AI learning content on Trailhead includes: a primer on Einstein GPT,  the first generative AI for CRM; the role of AI in business; the role and importance of unified data as the foundation for AI, smart CRM assistants, and how AI can improve customer service. 

“The gap between our capabilities and what the technology enables and demands has widened,” Erik Brynjolfsson, director of the Digital Economy Lab at Stanford said recently.

Indeed, technology trends this new make it hard to assess how much investment you’ll need to make in learning. But we are seeing seismic opportunities where AI can take us into the next decades. The time to start investing in learning is now.

What is upskilling?

Upskilling is learning new skills for a different or expanded job function. For example, with training, a web designer could grow into a career in application development or UX design. Upskilling can occur either on the job, as an employer-supported initiative, or on your own. 

Learning new skills can also be the key to breaking into a new industry or role. Look at it as an investment in your professional success. 

Learn AI, or get left behind

Generative AI was recently described by one prominent columnist as magic, a Promethean moment akin to the advent of the printing press, industrial revolution, nuclear power, and the internet. It’s no wonder companies are scrambling to hire skilled people to integrate it into their work. 

More broadly, upskilling is key to a more engaged workforce, which can boost productivity. According to a 2020 study, 91% of companies and 81% of employees say upskilling or reskilling has boosted productivity. The more digital skills your teams can gain, the easier it will be to keep your customers at the center of everything they do.

Nearly all global workers say businesses should prioritize AI skills in their employee development strategy. You don’t have to spend years earning a degree in AI. Trailhead provides learning modules for critical skills, which lead to careers for job seekers, and skilled workforces for employers. 

Another aspect of the AI learning curve – how to build trustworthy AI systems. According to new research, 55% of sales and service pros say enhanced security measures are a critical precursor to the successful use of generative AI.

Here are seven essential AI modules, bite-size learning units (we call them badges, which you earn after successfully completing the module) that guide you through specific topics, on Trailhead: 

Einstein GPT: Quick Look