AI Adoption And Skill Development Inevitable For Any Company’s Growth

The percentage may still be low for the moment but the new-age employment avenues are growing at quite a steady pace. Not in existence even by the year 2000, job roles are increasingly coming into play, while reflecting significant transformation at the workplace. These specialised roles include sustainability manager, AI engineer, data scientist, social media manager, and customer success Manager, among several others in the genre. Workplace transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with new data from LinkedIn’s inaugural work change snapshot showing that 10 per cent of workers hired globally in 2024 hold job titles that had not existed in 2000. LinkedIn suggests that an overwhelming 82 per cent of business leaders in India agree that the pace of change at work is speeding up. Whether its companies rethinking pandemic-era policies around remote work, the emergence of new technologies or the increased focus on sustainability, LinkedIn study reveals just how different modern workplaces look compared to just a few years ago. That’s not all. There is no doubt that the pace of transformation is only set to accelerate, going forward.

Global business leaders recognise the transformative potential of Generative AI, with nine in 10 in India reporting at least one way or the other the technology could benefit their teams, while seven in 10 making adoption of AI tools the top priority next year. The benefits of embracing AI go well beyond increased productivity. LinkedIn data shows that employees proficient in Generative AI are 20 times more likely to develop essential soft skills like professional networking, personal branding, design thinking and creativity, and emotional intelligence – key qualities that drive success in today’s competitive workplace. In fact, the top five LinkedIn Learning courses are focused on these critical soft skills, including communication foundations and building Trust. The popularity of courses like communication skills for modern management and ‘The Manager’s Guide to Difficult Conversations’ evidence the growing emphasis on these skills across seniority levels. AI is transforming the workplace like never before.

While nearly 82 per cent professionals are feeling the impact of rapid change, it’s encouraging to see more companies committed to navigating this shift. As we look to 2025, businesses are increasingly prioritising AI adoption, alongside meaningful investments in upskilling and reskilling their people. Embracing AI is not just about keeping pace; it’s about empowering teams, fostering innovation, and creating resilient workforces ready to thrive. Now is the moment for organisations to champion AI, commit to skill development and lead confidently into the future of work. However, one has to keep in mind that as businesses race to keep up with a rapidly changing world, HR teams, on their part, are increasingly relied upon to guide this transformation. In India, 69 per cent of HR professionals report that expectations on their productivity have never been higher. Additionally, six in 10 admit that experience alone is no longer enough to stay competitive, with over half acknowledging that one’s career growth now depends on embracing AI.