For many Americans, however, the biggest question isn’t whether AI will change the workforce.

It’s how we prepare for that change.

Much of the public conversation about artificial intelligence has centered on what AI might replace. That is an important discussion, but it is only part of the story. AI is also changing existing occupations, creating new specialties, increasing demand for new skills, and opening opportunities for people with many different professional backgrounds.

And an AI career does not necessarily mean becoming a programmer.

AI Careers Extend Far Beyond Technology

As artificial intelligence becomes part of more industries, organizations will need people who understand how to use, manage, evaluate and oversee these systems.

Opportunities are developing across technology, healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, cybersecurity, business operations and other fields.

Some positions will require advanced technical knowledge. Others will combine AI knowledge with skills people already have – communication, management, research, analysis, education, compliance, marketing, design and industry-specific expertise.

For someone considering a career change, the important question may therefore become:

Where can the skills I already have intersect with AI?

That is one of the questions AI Workforce Connect USA wants to help people explore.

Education Will Be an Important Part of the Transition

A changing workforce requires changing education.

Traditional college degrees will remain important for many careers, but they are no longer the only pathway for developing valuable skills. Certificate programs, professional training, continuing education and other learning opportunities can help people prepare for emerging roles.

That is why AI Workforce Connect USA includes AI Education as part of its mission.

We want people exploring AI careers to be able to learn about educational pathways that can help them prepare for those careers – and we want educational institutions and training providers to be part of the conversation.

But learning how to use artificial intelligence isn’t enough.

Powerful Technology Requires Equally Powerful Responsibility

As AI becomes more capable and more widely used, people entering this workforce also need to understand the responsibilities that come with it.

Responsible AI education can include subjects such as privacy and data protection, cybersecurity, bias and fairness, transparency, intellectual property, governance, regulatory compliance, model safety and human oversight.

These issues shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought.

Organizations need people who understand not only what artificial intelligence can do, but also how it should be used thoughtfully, safely and responsibly.

For AI Workforce Connect USA, Responsible AI education isn’t separate from workforce preparation.

It is part of workforce preparation.

Employers Are Preparing Too

Workers aren’t the only ones navigating this transition.

Businesses are determining where artificial intelligence belongs in their organizations, which skills they need, how existing employees can be trained, and where they will find professionals prepared for new AI-related responsibilities.

That creates an opportunity to build stronger connections among employers, professionals and educators.

AI Workforce Connect USA was created around that connection.

Our goal is to help bring together the different parts of America’s emerging AI workforce:

• People exploring AI careers.
• Professionals developing new skills.
• Employers preparing for an AI-enabled workplace.
• Educational institutions helping people prepare.
• And organizations committed to the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.

Preparing Instead of Predicting

No one can say with certainty exactly what the American workforce will look like ten years from now.

Artificial intelligence itself will continue to evolve. Careers will evolve with it.

We don’t need to predict every change before we begin preparing for change.

We can educate ourselves. We can identify emerging opportunities. We can develop new skills. We can encourage responsible AI practices. And we can create connections between the people who want opportunities and the organizations that need their abilities.

That is the conversation we intend to continue here in Industry News.

We’ll follow developments affecting AI careers and the workforce, explore education and training opportunities, discuss Responsible AI, examine emerging career fields, and share information that can help professionals and employers understand what is changing and what may come next.

The AI workforce is already taking shape.

Now is the time to prepare for it.

AI Workforce Connect USA LLC
Connecting People. Creating Opportunity. Building America’s AI Workforce.