For many in the labor market, interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) is a difficult love-hate relationship. AI has been responsible for many layoffs as companies sought to eliminate unnecessary extras and streamline their processes to be more efficient, leaving many workers in the unknown of unemployment.
At the same time, AI is also a powerful tool for good, if you use it properly in your career. It was predicted by the World Economic Forum that AI would create up to 97 million new jobs – a statistic that many of us may have heard repeatedly at roundtables, conferences, summits and in discussions and articles on the internet – but do you really appreciate what that means? resources?
Let’s give a few examples of what artificial intelligence skills can do for your career, especially when it comes to job openings and lucrative salaries:
How AI will increase your salary in 2024
According to Indeed.com’s analysis of the most important tech skills of 2024, Genative AI claimed the top spot on the list. Some talent and HR experts suggest that when a professional receives a promotion, they will receive a salary increase of up to 15%. However, Indeed analysts estimate that having this skill on your resume and in your career toolkit can increase your salary by as much as 47% – that’s more than triple what you would earn by simply climbing the ladder to the next senior level position.
Furthermore, employers value AI so much and are so eager to incorporate it into their organization’s workflows and processes that they are literally scrambling for AI talent because it isn’t that popular right now. In a recent AWS survey, 73% of employers said they consider hiring AI talent a top priority.
Finally, let’s not forget that the roles that require AI skills typically go for $100,000 or above. Certain high-demand roles, such as project management, product management, and even sales and marketing, require strong AI skills to handle the work with the latest cutting-edge technology and work efficiently, as well as average six-figure salaries. according to Salary.com.
Now can you imagine what it would mean for your career success and financial future if you also developed AI skills? Even better, what if you understood how to implement this within your specific area of expertise, role and team workflows? This offers even more value for your employer and thus increases your position in the extremely competitive labor market.
Instead of just now If you’re studying generic AI courses and certifications (which are certainly a useful starting point), why not go further and find courses that will help you excel within your specific role?
5 free AI courses (some with certificates) in 2024
Here are some examples of free courses and certifications you can start learning this year so you can build high-income AI skills and take your career to the next level in 2025:
- Microsoft Generative AI for Data Analytics Professional Certificate is available for free through Coursera if you need help due to financial issues, and perfect if you work in data.
- Talking to AI: Fast Engineering for Project Managers is offered free of charge only to PMI (Project Management Institute) members; otherwise, it’s extremely affordable, currently $19 at the time of writing.
- AI applications in people management is part of the AI For Business specialization offered through Coursera by the University of Pennsylvania. Here you will learn how to apply AI as an HR (human resources) professional.
- The one from Salesforce Trailhead resource teaches you a range of AI skills that employers are looking for, completely free, from machine learning to ethics. They also have a Salesforce AI Associate certification.
- HubSpot’s AI for Marketing Course is a fantastic resource that’s right for you, regardless of your level in the marketing industry, and provides valuable insights into how to apply AI in marketing campaigns and content creation strategies.
As Maureen Chahill recently said at DeVry University’s CEO Roundtable discussing AI in the workforce, companies have the opportunity to “buy, build or borrow” AI skills and talent to help with their implementation. This means they can hire contractors to teach and/or consult with them and their staff; they can improve their own skills from within; or they can “borrow” by hiring freelancers. Whichever option your current or future employer chooses when it comes to AI integration, your career will benefit greatly from the learning industry and role-specific AI skills.