Supporting the Workforce of Tomorrow, Today 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “Automation will take our jobs.” By some accounts, we’ve been doing it since the late 16th century. But with the meteoric rise of generative AI, the thought is front and center for many in today’s workforce. From engineers to animators, everyone seems concerned with how AI will impact their future. The truth is: it will. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, AI has the potential to create roughly 97 million new jobs by the end of 2025, including roles like AI Q/A tester, AI business developer manager, and AI auditor. Last year, Cisco launched the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium alongside Accenture, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP to proactively address Al's profound impact on the workforce. In our corresponding Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs report, we found that 92% of ICT roles are expected to undergo some level of transformation due to advancements in AI. Meaning: Reskilling and upskilling employees is a global need. Failing to do so could result in trade and social imbalances, technological stagnation, and national security threats. 

That’s why Cisco and fellow Consortium members have collectively pledged to positively impact 95 million individuals worldwide over the coming decade. This includes Cisco’s goal to train 25 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032. As my Cisco and Splunk colleagues and I look toward the future in Splunk Predictions 2025, we must remind ourselves that investing in a long-term roadmap for an inclusive and skilled workforce is not just strategic, it’s necessary to help all populations participate and thrive in the AI era.

Upskilling Strategically

The work begins with identifying and enabling new skills and requirements based on an organization’s AI goals and deployment strategy. Keeping up with the latest technology developments will ensure long-term growth and success in our AI-driven world. It’s all about adapting our skills.

In the AI era, new skillsets like AI ethics as well as technical skills like AI literacy and prompt engineering will be increasingly valuable alongside data analytics and machine learning. On the other hand, basic programming, content creation, and data management will become more automated. But that doesn’t mean these skills will disappear entirely. Tomorrow’s workforce will leverage job-specific AI tools to enhance their abilities and make workflows more efficient. (According to Goldman Sachs, productivity increases 25% on average following AI adoption.) UX designers, software developers, and technical writers are already embracing the newfound opportunities these applications present, suggesting that the real shift lies in how we perform our jobs, not what they are. This idea was shared by a few of the esteemed speakers and AI industry experts at the recent Cisco AI Summit – increased day-to-day efficiency will result in a much higher potential output from each worker, leading to a pace of work and innovation we couldn’t have imagined before AI. 

Companies understand that AI adoption is accelerating and they cannot wait for traditional institutions to solve this demand alone. Therefore, enterprise-sponsored training programs such as “Machine Learning with Python Foundations,” “AI Security Nuggets,” and “Generative AI as a Creative Professional” will be critical for equipping employees with the necessary skills to face tomorrow's challenges. By providing their workforce essential training through their own learning networks, higher education institutions (like Stanford), or avenues such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera, companies set their sights on the future. 

Investing in the future – today 

The most successful companies will proactively invest in employee training and transformation planning. By offering AI training, companies will attract and retain top talent, foster growth and innovation, and prepare their organization, products and strategies for an AI future. An AI-savvy workforce will undoubtedly shape how organizations are staffed, leading to the creation of new roles. 

Although workers from every walk of life will need support to seize this critical inflection point, it doesn’t fall entirely on businesses to shoulder that responsibility.

I urge workers at all levels—from entry-level to the C-suite—to embrace a mindset geared toward lifelong learning. It will strengthen your resilience and relevance in our rapidly changing world and open doors throughout a long and fruitful career. Acquiring a solid foundation in AI and related technologies through online courses or certifications will enable everyone to adapt to evolving roles and responsibilities.

The road ahead 

From companies to governments, students, and non-profits, everyone can benefit from AI. No matter the role, embracing it will be pivotal. That’s why the Consortium has also provided training recommendations for roughly 50 job titles so everyone can reskill and upskill for the future. With AI as a guide, organizations can broaden opportunities for everyone, promoting inclusivity and upward mobility for all.

Check out Splunk Predictions 2025 to learn more about the future of work and AI from executive leaders across Splunk and Cisco.