Talent with AI skills remains rare, with around 1% of the workforce having advanced AI capabilities.
The OECD has warned that stronger skills policies will be needed to prevent AI from widening labor market inequality.
In that policy document Skills in the AI erathe organization says AI can improve productivity, support economic growth and create new opportunities. Still, if workers and businesses are not prepared for the transition, existing rifts could deepen.
Enterprise adoption of AI in OECD countries is accelerating rapidly, increasing from approximately 7% to 20% of enterprises between 2021 and 2025.
The OECD says this increase is due in part to the proliferation of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot.
Recruitment remains uneven. While large enterprises and startups are more likely to use AI, small businesses face barriers such as cost, infrastructure gaps, and a lack of skilled labor.
The paper also cautions that exposure to AI does not automatically mean you are likely to lose your job.
High-skilled occupations such as managers, professionals, and engineers are among the most exposed to AI, but are less likely to be automated because they rely heavily on non-routine cognitive and social skills.
Low- and medium-skill roles that involve routine manual or cognitive tasks face higher automation risk.
The OECD says workers will need a combination of foundational skills, ICT skills and complementary skills such as critical thinking, creativity and collaboration.
Advanced AI skills such as machine learning and data science remain in short supply, with around 1% of the workforce having such skills.
The organization calls for stronger education and training systems, broader lifelong learning, AI literacy for all workers, employer-led training, and better collaboration between government, industry and education providers.
Why is it important?
The OECD report positions AI skills not just as a concern for the technology sector, but as a core issue for the labor market. If training systems do not adapt, AI adoption could widen the divide between large and small businesses, between high-skilled and low-skilled workers, and between regions with different levels of digital competency. The report also makes important distinctions regarding policy. In other words, the jobs most exposed to AI are not necessarily the jobs most likely to be lost. This means governments need a more targeted approach to reskilling, worker support and AI literacy.
Want to learn more about AI, technology, and digital diplomacy? Then contact Diplo chatbot.
