“AI literacy” now top skill, says LinkedIn

Literacy in artificial intelligence (AI) is now the most in-demand skill as the technology drives change in the job market.

AI will serve as a “catalyst” in the next wave of workplace transformation, according to LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform with over a billion users.

The trend is reflected in job listings and user profiles, with “AI literacy” emerging as the most in-demand professional skill, LinkedIn said in its new Skills on the Rise ranking.

The ranking covers 15 fastest-growing skills “that professionals should be investing in to get ahead in today's world of work.” AI literacy tops the list, followed by “conflict mitigation” and “adaptability.”

“As AI rapidly transforms industries, companies are increasingly looking for professionals with the ability to understand and utilize tools harnessing that technology for business purposes,” LinkedIn said.

Other AI-related skills on the list include “process optimization” and “large language model (LLM) development and application.” Also featured is “regulatory compliance,” which may be important as organizations navigate evolving AI legislation.

Here’s the full list of most in-demand skills based on data collected by LinkedIn:

1. AI literacy
2. Conflict mitigation
3. Adaptability
4. Process optimization
5. Innovative thinking
6. Public speaking
7. Solution-based selling
8. Customer engagement and support
9. Stakeholder management
10. Large language model (LLM) development and application
11. Budget and resource management
12. Go-to-market (GTM) strategy
13. Regulatory compliance
14. Growth strategy
15. Risk assessment

According to LinkedIn, 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, with AI “at the forefront of this shift.”

“For organizations, navigating this transformation means embracing skills-based hiring practices to build a workforce equipped for the future,” the company said, adding that this approach could expand the global talent pool more than sixfold.

“For professionals, it’s about staying ahead of the curve, whether that’s learning new, in-demand skills or deepening existing areas of expertise,” it said.

The company’s earlier report showed that a quarter of professionals plan to focus on learning new skills this year to open up opportunities.

There’s been a 140% increase in the pace at which members add new skills to their profiles since 2022 as AI “becomes relevant to every job in the future and woven into most tasks,” LinkedIn said.

The rise of AI is a double-edged sword, eliminating some jobs while creating others, making adaptability and retraining essential in a shifting landscape.

According to the World Economic Forum, current economic and technological trends are expected to eliminate 92 million jobs globally by 2030 but create 170 million new ones.