Demand rises for AI, leadership, and IT certification skills - report

There is a rising demand for AI, leadership as well as IT certification skills among business, a report by Udemy found.

In the online skills marketplace and learning platform’s Q4 2023 Global Workplace Learning Index, it was found that more employees were leaning towards the utilization of generative AI skills, improvement of human skills, and seeking more certifications.

 “2023 was a year where trends around generative AI (gen AI), hybrid work, building inclusive global workplaces, and macroeconomic uncertainty drove the consistent need to upskill across both technological and leadership capabilities,” said Greg Brown, president and chief executive officer at Udemy.

“Workers today need tech skills as much as they need soft, or power skills,” he added.

Generative AI gains popularity

According to the report, more employees were now moving towards learning how they can utilize generative AI in their roles and businesses.

In Udemy’s Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, ChatGPT was the fastest growing skill for 2023. There was also a growing demand for cybersecurity courses as well as ethical hacking, with the latter seeing an increased demand within the industries of entertainment and media.

Amidst a landscape that was beginning to be more focused on AI, many workers showed their interest in improving their human skills such as active listening, customer service, and work-life balance.

Focus on certification training

There was also an increase among learners who were looking to garner more certifications as the job market continues to be competitive. Udemy saw about 10 million enrollments in its IT certification training within the platform over the past year, with more opting for certification preparation courses.

“The world of work is shifting quickly, and the skills necessary for success are shifting with it,” said Stephanie Stapleton Sudbury, president of Udemy Business.

“As more leaders begin to integrate skills-based approaches into their talent and development strategies, it’s even more important to keep a finger on the pulse of key learning trends and top skills to prepare their workforces,” she said further.

Udemy’s Global Workplace Learning Index is a quarterly report that highlighted the skills that were growing in demand. The report examined the activity of almost 16,000 Udemy Business customers all over the world.