97% of highest paying IT jobs now require AI skills
AI roles now dominate the highest-paying IT positions in the UK, with 97% of IT jobs paying over £100,000 now listing AI skills as a core requirement, according to research by Thomson Reuters, a global content and technology company.
An analysis of more than 5,300 live tech jobs advertised in April 2024 revealed that over 73% (593 out of 817) of the top 15% highest-paid vacancies necessitated AI competencies.
The demand for AI talent surged over the past year, accompanied by the emergence of a variety of novel specialist roles, including Director of Artificial Intelligence and Products, Generative AI Solutions Architect, and Machine Learning Engineer.
28% of all IT job openings now specify AI skills either in the job title or as a primary requirement, with the demand for these skill sets rising in higher salary brackets.
Research from Oxford University and the University of Copenhagen has shown that possessing AI skills can enable workers to command an average 21% salary premium.
“Across corporates and the professions, the demand for AI talent is continuing to accelerate at a remarkable pace,” says Mary Alice Vuicic, chief people officer at Thomson Reuters.
“Companies are now required to not just embrace change, but to actively participate in shaping and directing it,” says Vuicic. “As companies begin to implement these emerging technologies, they’re investing in the right talent to lead that process.”
“As well looking at new hires, businesses also need to build trust across their teams to bring their whole organisations with them on their AI journey. This includes fostering understanding and knowledge of AI, its impact on the workplace, and highlighting the benefits of AI. This will help provide a supportive and effective environment for AI learning and adoption across organisations.”
This comes as Thomson Reuters, in their 2024 Generative AI in Professional Services report, identified that more than half (54%) of professionals in corporations, law and accounting firms and government organisations believe GenAI should be applied to their work, while just 16% said it should not.
“By removing the more repetitive and administrative elements of certain jobs, AI presents the opportunity to boost productivity for high-skilled workers as they can focus on more valuable tasks. Bringing in the right expertise is crucial to ensure this implementation can be scaled smoothly to all parts of the business, and existing staff can receive appropriate training and skills development,” Vuicic added.
