The tech landscape is rapidly changing. With the emergence and uncontrollable popularity of the so-called Generative AI, the turbulence facing the sector is incredible. Tech firms are increasingly laying off while Generative AI tops the list of the highest-paid tech skills.
Interesting, right? Let’s look at this trend more closely.
The Rise of Generative AI
Generative AI is a made-to-create content form of AI. This technology is the foundation of the popular GPT that powers text generators like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini.
Generative AI uses generative models to generate content. Models like Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) can produce content based on patterns learned from existing data.
The technology allows businesses to automate tasks, speed up performance, and lower costs.
Generative AI at the Workplace
Over the last several months, we’ve seen many companies allocating more budget to generative AI research and development. OpenAI and Microsoft led the transition until Google retaliated to protect and zeal its dominance.
Needless to mention, Amazon, IBM, Facebook, and small players like StabilityAI and StableAI are all in the race.
But these dynamics have come with benefits for employees and job seekers who have AI expertise. The latest Indeed report shows these AI-related skills have become the most lucrative tech skills in the U.S.
The estimated average salary of an employee with Generative AI skills is $174k.
I extracted the table below from the Indeed.com report. This data provides a more interesting observation than showing confirming AI dominance of the landscape.
As you can see, AI-specific skills occupy the top 5 as the highest-paying tech skills.
A look into the future
The rising demand for AI skills is good news for job seekers with these skills. For employees without the on-demand expertise, it’s a worrying trend.
Here is why.
On the one hand, AI technology will both open opportunities for and reward individuals with related skills. Companies will not only look for these employees but the candidates’ skills will earn them higher bargaining power and subsequently a fatter paycheck.
On the other hand, I see a dark future for existing employees stuck in their obsolete skills. Experts agree Generative AI will weed out this group for its inability to embrace and master the relevant to new roles.
What next?
The fact that AI is in its infancy, I would say, is a good thing. It gives existing and potential workforce a window period to prepare. People who want to remain relevant in the workplace must take the rewarding path while the biggest tech revolution in history is underway.
