Gen Z leads AI skill acquisition in India: LinkedIn Report

LinkedIn’s recent report reveals that the younger generation in India, specifically Gen Z (born after the mid-1990s), is 1.3 times more inclined to acquire Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills compared to Gen X (born from 1965 to 1980) and 2.4 times more than Baby Boomers (born from 1946 to 1964). The Future of Work: State of AI @ Work report, released on November 21, 2023 indicates that Gen Z professionals in India are dedicating 73 per cent more time to learning AI skills on LinkedIn compared to other generations.

The global conversation around generative AI has increased by 70 per cent, spanning genders, generations, occupations, and industries, according to data from December 2022 to September 2023. Ashutosh Gupta, Country Manager of LinkedIn India, notes that as we move into 2024, a transformation led by AI in the workplace is comparable to the growth driven by the internet in the ’90s. The report emphasizes the imperative need for upskilling, with a renewed focus on developing essential human skills alongside AI proficiency.

Interest in AI skills varies across generations, with millennials constituting 45 per cent of global AI conversations, followed by Gen Z at 26 per cent, Gen X at 21 per cent, and Boomers at four per cent. In terms of gender representation, men lead AI discussions at 58 per cent, while women contribute 32 per cent.

The report highlights a nearly 80 per cent surge in global engagement with AI-related courses on LinkedIn Learning in the current quarter. In India, the skills of choice vary among generations, with Gen Z focusing on digital expertise, while Millennials and Gen X prioritise soft skills.

From December 2022 to September 2023, there’s been a 12 per cent increase in views for AI-related jobs across major economies. The demand for AI skills extends beyond technical roles to non-technical positions like Supply Chain Specialist and Sustainability Manager.

The most sought-after skills in AI job postings include expertise in Data Structures, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. The rise of generative AI is influencing hybrid work settings, with organisations adapting to the demand for flexibility.

Gen Z, although most likely to see job disruption by generative AI, is also the generation closest to being AI literate. The report suggests that their comfort with technology may outweigh the disruptions they face, making them more productive and enabling the development of essential people skills.

Globally, 52 per cent of millennials and 48 per cent of Gen Z believe AI will advance their careers by providing faster access to knowledge and insights. Professionals with higher degrees may experience slightly greater disruption, and over half of both women and men worldwide will see their jobs disrupted or augmented by generative AI, with a slightly higher impact on women due to their overrepresentation in certain occupations.