From Disruption to Opportunity: Building an AI-Ready Workforce

This seismic shift is redefining what it means to be skilled. The average “half-life” of a skill – the time it takes for half its value to become obsolete – is now less than five years. In some tech fields, it’s just two and a half years.

So what does this mean for the average worker? And what will the future of work look like?

While AI will not take over every job, it is here to transform them. Many knowledge workers will not lose their jobs, but they may find that the nature of what they do will be significantly altered by AI and other emerging technologies. So much so that they might as well be working in entirely new roles.

With this, forward-looking companies are recognising that attracting and retaining workers with relevant skill sets is a key component of business success.

A large part of this entails employee development: A recent study by global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group found that some organisations are devoting up to 1.5 per cent of their total budgets to upskilling efforts. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also estimates that millions of workers globally will need to be reskilled altogether.

This shift requires not just learning new tools, but in some cases, changing careers entirely. For example, in Singapore, nearly half of all job vacancies in 2023 (47.3 per cent) were for newly created roles, the highest since tracking began in 2018. This surge was led by the information and communications sector, where over 70 per cent of job openings were for brand-new positions, despite broader restructuring and layoffs in tech.

Skills at the forefront of organisational strategy

As AI continues to reshape the way we work, the skills needed to stay competitive are evolving fast. Beyond just knowing how to use a tool, workers need to understand the technology behind it.

Skills in natural language processing, AI model training, algorithm development, AI ethics, and AI-powered data analytics are some examples of in demand skill sets that are critical to a future-ready business.

So what can companies do? It’s time to move beyond one-off courses or piecemeal training efforts – and adopt a strategic approach to workforce reskilling. One that builds AI literacy, strengthens digital capabilities, and nurtures leadership at every level.

Why reskilling matters more than ever

In the age of AI, reskilling is not just a response to change, but a key strategy for growth. As routine tasks are automated, reskills for the AI economy allows people to move up the value chain, taking on roles that require judgement, empathy and creativity.

• Safeguard employment
  AI might handle some tasks, but reskilling is the best shield against job loss. By learning new, relevant skills, employees stay relevant and can shift into emerging roles that align with AI-driven workflows.
  
  
• Foster innovation
  When employees combine deep domain expertise with next-generation AI capabilities, they can unleash more productivity and creativity. This powerful combination of human insight and AI’s analytical strength helps companies to spark fresh ideas and innovative solutions fast.
  

What it takes to lead in the AI era

The World Economic Forum predicts that globally, 44 per cent of existing workforce skills will be disrupted between 2023 and 2028. And with generative AI accelerating change across industries, that number could climb even higher.

In this fast-evolving landscape, leaders have a critical role to play, not just in adopting AI technologies, but in guiding their people through the transformation. That means redesigning how work gets done, unlocking new value, and building a workforce that is ready to grow with AI, not be replaced by it.

What does AI leadership look like? It all starts with fostering a culture of continuous learning.

By championing lifelong learning, organisations can help employees build confidence and develop the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. This would entail creating an environment where curiosity is celebrated, mistakes are learning opportunities, and upskilling is part of everyday work, not just an occasional training session.

A key part of this strategy is putting skills at the heart of their workforce strategy – and focus on building AI literacy and digital skills across the board. This does not mean turning everyone into coders. The key is to ensure that each and every employee understands the possibilities and limitations of AI. When people are empowered to ask the right questions about AI – such as how models work, what data they use, where biases might exist – they will become smarter users and collaborators with technology.

At the same time, leaders must acknowledge that change can feel uncertain, especially when AI and other emerging technologies are raising fears about job security. Open, honest communication is key. Employees need to hear what AI means for their roles, how their careers can evolve, and where new opportunities lie. When people are engaged and informed, they don’t just accept the AI journey: they help drive it forward.

How top companies are leading by example

Around the world, companies are already making bold moves to equip their people with the skills to thrive alongside AI. From shop floors to boardrooms, they are investing in training and redesigning workflows to tap into the power of both human talent and AI. 

• Accenture: Empowering AI-confident consultants 
  In 2020, Accenture launched its AI Academy, giving employees hands-on training in areas including machine learning and natural language processing. It also created a Center for AI Excellence that brings together specialists from across various business divisions to exchange insights, share best practices, and co-create AI-powered solutions. The result of these efforts: Be it consultants or analysts, Accenture employees are well-equipped to leverage AI to solve real-world business challenges.

• Bank of America: Training 100,000 for the future
  For employees at Bank of America, the future of their roles is being actively reimagined with AI in their toolkit. In 2021, the company set a bold goal: train 100,000 employees in AI by 2025. Through a blend of online learning, live seminars, and on-the-job training, employees – from call center agents to product developers – are gaining the skills to work smarter with AI.  
  
  
• General Electric: Where bolts meets bytes
  In its factories around the world, GE is using AI to power predictive maintenance, streamline supply chains, and boost quality assurance. But the secret sauce is its workers, whom GE is training to lead the change. Its AI Academy, launched in 2020, offers courses in data science, machine learning, and more, helping employees speak the language of AI.  
  
  
• Walmart: Empowering people and enhancing serviceWhen a customer messages Walmart’s helpdesk, chances are the response is powered by AI. But behind that smart chatbot is a team of employees trained to supervise, refine, and build better customer experiences. Across the board, the retailer is leveraging AI – from chatbots that assist shoppers, to AI-driven inventory tools that ensure shelves are stocked.   When a customer messages Walmart’s helpdesk, chances are the response is powered by AI. But behind that smart chatbot is a team of employees trained to supervise, refine, and build better customer experiences. Across the board, the retailer is leveraging AI – from chatbots that assist shoppers, to AI-driven inventory tools that ensure shelves are stocked.