AI Job Postings Surge 3.5x Since 2016: PwC

Job postings requiring AI skills have surged 3.5 times faster than postings for all jobs globally since 2016, according to the 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer report by PwC. The report, which examined over half a billion job ads from 15 countries now reveals that there are seven times as many AI specialist postings compared to 2012.

The study highlights that positions demanding AI expertise come with a significant wage premium. In the US, these jobs command up to a 25% higher salary compared to roles not requiring AI skills. This wage premium is similarly notable in other markets included in the report.

MBN reports that Mexico’s AI market size reached US$2.83 billion in 2023. Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC UK, emphasizes the critical need for businesses and governments to invest in skill development. “There is tremendous opportunity for people, organizations, and economies with expertise in new and emerging technologies such as AI,” Brown said in a press release. He underscores the importance of adopting a skills-first approach to recruitment and committing to ongoing workforce upskilling, as AI's technological and economic impact is pervasive across all sectors.

The report underscores a significant acceleration in skill evolution within AI-intensive jobs. Skills become obsolete and new ones emerge 25% faster in these roles compared to less AI-exposed occupations. This rapid shift is directly linked to the remarkable productivity gains observed in sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare, where AI integration has led to nearly fivefold increases in labor productivity.