As generative AI becomes embedded in common business workflows, employers increasingly need workers who can do more than access an AI tool. AI literacy includes tool use, domain knowledge, data awareness, and analysis skills. Instead of a “nice-to-have” skill, AI is becoming an essential skill businesses are looking for in new and existing employees.
AI-assisted tasks span across the business, from writing marketing emails, blogs, and content to customer service. AI skills in the workplace are becoming a key requirement for promotions and getting hired. Entry-level to senior management positions may require a solid understanding of AI technology, as well as the ability to apply human judgment.
AI skills in the workplace: Hiring and recruitment
Patriot Software’s survey of 1000 US-based business owners found that in 40.2% of cases, AI skills and knowledge are an advantage; another 17.7% of employers require AI skills. Having AI skills may be the difference between getting hired or promoted.
Businesses are not only checking for AI skills and understanding; they are also verifying them through skill assessments and surveys. Many job seekers, especially those searching for entry-level positions, use AI to create resumes, making it harder for companies to find qualified candidates. As a result, recruiters need AI skill assessments and tests to evaluate AI skills.
Practical options for assessing AI skills include:
- Scenario-based interview discussions
- Exercises that require job candidates to walk through generating an AI document and reviewing the output to correct errors.
- Portfolio discussions where potential employees explain how they’ve used AI and what issues they found, as well as how those issues were corrected.
The end goal is an effective way to assess a job applicant’s experience using AI tools, analyzing data, and applying business rules and human judgment. Potential employees need to understand the basics of how AI systems learn from data, how data quality affects AI work, and how to spot errors and apply the human touch to all AI work.
AI skills in the workplace: What employees need to know
Employers aren’t necessarily looking for a technical understanding of AI models. Most jobs require AI literacy skills, including:
- Familiarity with AI tools and applications for use.
- Analyzing AI-generated output.
- Awareness of AI bias and ethical concerns.
- Using AI tools for process automation.
- Critical thinking and logic.
- Ethical reasoning.
Employees must understand how AI functions, including how to create prompts that generate output and how to spot hallucinations. They must also know how to verify sources and understand the legal requirements for using data.
AI skills in the workplace: Training and education
Existing and new employees often have to learn AI on their own. Patriot Software’s survey reports that 44.4% of businesses fail to provide any AI training. Employees looking for a promotion or a new position need to train themselves.
However, many businesses do provide AI training. Unfortunately, AI is still new to many businesses. Many workers have AI skills, but they cannot apply them because the business has not fully adopted an AI strategic plan to automate business processes.
AI training teaches the vocabulary, how to use the tools, and how to automate processes. Employees and potential employees also need a technical understanding of when and how to use AI tools for a business, and the business rules governing their use. Next, employees must develop critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills to spot AI errors and add human context.
For example, when a data analyst uses an AI tool to draft code, they also must review the code and test its logic and output to prevent failures and errors. Similarly, a technical writer can generate technical documentation using an AI tool, but must then review and edit the text for inconsistencies or logic mistakes.
Job seekers and existing workers must embrace learning AI skills. AI skills include both a technical understanding of what AI does and how it uses data, tool usage, and how to apply human critical judgment. Businesses and employees must develop AI workplace skills essential to produce quality work collaboratively while following business rules.
FAQ
What does AI fluency mean in a professional business setting?
AI fluency means using AI tools effectively while understanding their limitations, evaluating outputs, protecting sensitive information, and applying human expertise to review work products.
Is prompt engineering enough to demonstrate AI proficiency?
Understanding how to create valuable prompts (prompt engineering) is useful but represents only part of a broader skill set that includes evaluation, verification, workflow design, and critical human judgment. AI proficiency, then, is an understanding of AI technology combined with human critical thinking and reviewing skills.
Why does domain expertise matter when employees use AI?
Domain expertise means understanding the business, its customers, legal data handling and privacy requirements, and business rules. Employees must be able to use AI tools and also detect inaccurate, inappropriate, or offensive output that violates business rules.
Should companies prioritize AI training as well as AI hiring?
Businesses with established AI business rules, established tools, and training benefit the most from AI. By providing internal training, organizations set consistent standards and tools that produce quality work.
Featured image credit
