Future of work

Key takeaways

• AI is changing the combination of skills that employers value rather than eliminating the need for workers.
• Most workers in AI-exposed occupations do not need specialized AI skills, such as machine learning or natural language processing.
• Management, communication, and digital skills remain the most commonly requested skills in AI-exposed occupations.
• Demand for social, language, and emotional skills has increased over the past decade in occupations with greater AI exposure.
• AI may increase demand for some physical and production-related skills while reducing demand for certain business and digital skills in some workplaces.

Plain language summary

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) examined online job postings in Canada from 2012 to 2022 to understand how AI is changing the skills employers look for. The study found that more than 30% of the job vacancies examined were in occupations that are highly exposed to AI. The technology is likely to affect some of the tasks performed in these jobs.

The report shows that workers in these occupations are unlikely to need specialized AI skills, such as developing machine learning models or programming AI systems. Instead, employers continue to value management, communication, and basic digital skills, and are increasingly seeking social, language, and emotional skills.

The research found that demand for skills like teamwork, coordination, communication, and self-management has grown the most over the past decade in occupations with greater AI exposure. The findings suggest that as AI takes on more routine tasks, workers may spend more time collaborating with others, solving problems, and applying judgment.

The report also found that AI affects skill demand differently across workplaces. In some organizations, demand for business and digital skills has declined as AI has begun to support routine work, while demand for social and some production-related skills has increased.

Overall, the findings suggest that AI is changing both how work is performed and the combination of skills that employers value, but that most workers will not need to become AI specialists. Instead, as AI changes how work is done, employers are placing greater value on the human skills that AI cannot easily replace.

Why the results matter

For the public sector

The findings show that AI is changing the skills workers need, not just the jobs they do. This information can inform workforce planning, skills development, and training policies.

For employers and employment services

The report highlights the importance of developing both technical and human skills. Employers and employment service providers can use these findings to support recruitment, training, and workforce development.

For post-secondary institutions and students

The findings suggest that preparing students for AI-enabled workplaces involves more than technical training. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving remain important across many occupations.

For educators, career development professionals, and job seekers

The report can help career professionals and job seekers understand how AI is changing workplace skills. It suggests that strong communication, collaboration, and digital skills will continue to be valuable.

For people working with underrepresented and underserved groups

The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that workers have opportunities to build both digital and transferable skills as workplaces adopt AI.

For people in the LMI ecosystem

The report provides evidence that AI is changing skill demand across occupations. This information can contribute to the monitoring of emerging labour market trends and support evidence-based decision-making.

For most Canadians

Most Canadians are likely to work alongside AI rather than to develop it. The report suggests that human skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, will remain important as AI becomes more common in the workplace.