Driving Business Transformation with GenAI Upskilling

Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to transform work and innovation across industries. In response, companies are seeking out AI talent both within and outside of the organization. In 2023, there was a 20x increase in job postings requiring GenAI skills. Similarly, AI and big data are two of the top three core skills included in company-training strategies.

To prepare for the evolving nature of work and the emergence of 1 million new jobs in the field, employees are seeking out opportunities to upskill in GenAI as well. Global GenAI course enrollments on Coursera grew an astonishing 1,060% year-over-year, according to Coursera's 2024 Global Skills Report. In 2023, a learner enrolled in a GenAI course on Coursera every minute; by 2024, this rate had quadrupled. 

Additional GenAI skill trends based on Coursera’s platform data:

1. AI skills are in high demand around the world: Applied machine learning, machine learning algorithms, artificial neural networks, and programming languages are among the most sought-after skills globally.

2. There is outsized demand for GenAI skills in emerging markets: There was a 1,500% year-over-year increase in GenAI enrollments among learners in Sub-Saharan Africa, the highest of any region. Asia Pacific also saw a similar increase with a 1,270% year-over-year growth in GenAI course enrollments, highlighting the global nature of the upskilling response.

3. Globally, millennials are leading the way in learning GenAI skills. Of those who reported their age, 56% of enrollments stemmed from millennial learners.

4. Globally, GenAI is being embraced faster by men. Male learners are enrolling in GenAI content more (72%) than women learners (28%).

Keeping pace with technology is only one benefit of skills training. When prioritized by business leaders as an organizational imperative, GenAI skills development is a strategic investment with tangible returns such as:

• Increased efficiency: A recent GenAI study by Deloitte showed that 36% of US-based organizations reported they were already achieving an increase in speed/ease of software development due to their GenAI initiatives.

• Improved retention: According to Skillsoft, 82% of IT professionals said  company-provided GenAI training is extremely important to them, and they feel a higher sense of engagement (47%) with their company.

• Enhanced innovation: KPMG found that a workforce fluent in cutting-edge technologies is better positioned to drive innovation and create competitive advantages.

• Unlocked productivity: According to McKinsey’s Economic potential of generative AI report, the productivity of GenAI-skilled employees will drive GDP growth by nearly 4% over the next 15 years.

Bridging the skills gap: best practices from leading businesses

Forward-thinking organizations are unlocking innovation and productivity with a continued focus on AI and machine learning skill adoption. “AI is coming to your job; it’s not coming for your job,” says Elisa Graceffo, General Manager of Technical Content, Worldwide Learning at Microsoft.

Here's how industry leaders are exploring different ways to guide their initiatives:

1. Prioritizing AI training across the organization

Recognizing its transformative potential, businesses are making AI literacy a mission-critical skill. A company-wide approach like this ensures all employees, regardless of their role, understand the basics of AI and its implications for their work. For example, almost all APAC CEOs (98%) are planning significant investments in GenAI, which correlates to the surge in GenAI course enrollments on Coursera.

Unlock innovation and productivity with GenAI Academy

To facilitate large-scale upskilling, organizations are turning to trusted learning solutions like Coursera's GenAI Academy.

Learn more

• Expert content from leading GenAI innovators such as Microsoft, Google, Stanford Online, and IBM.
• Curated programs for different teams and career levels, including executives.
• Hands-on practice in secure GenAI Playgrounds, allowing employees to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.
• Interactive guidance from Coursera Coach for effective learning.
• Learning in preferred language with 20+ translations
• Accelerated course customization with AI-assisted Course Builder

2. Aligning upskilling with leadership and business strategy

The most effective AI initiatives tie learning objectives directly to business goals. Programs that focus on speeding up web development time or encouraging the usage of AI to boost productivity not only support skill development, but move the business forward. “Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming the skill requirements for employees in telecoms. Today, employees must possess the ability to work collaboratively with AI systems, leverage automation tools, and interpret vast amounts of data to drive informed decision-making,” says Julia Ewen-Hoffman, Head of Learning & Development at Deutsche Telekom AG.

At Dow, the learning team recognized the importance of equipping their IT workforce with the skills needed to leverage  transformative GenAI technology. Alison Klein, Learning Program Manager at Dow, helped spearhead the company’s GenAI upskilling initiative, which received strong support from the very top. “This all started last year when our CEO heard about some of the generative AI courses that were available in Coursera and reached out to our CIO to see how we could get them in front of our employees,” Klein shares.

This clear alignment between learning goals and executive priorities resulted in impressive engagement: over 80% of Dow’s IT employees have achieved AI certification. By aligning learning goals with the CEO’s vision for GenAI adoption, Dow empowered its IT workforce to confidently navigate GenAI while driving innovation and efficiency gains.

3. Balancing digital and human skills

As we stand at the crossroads of human and machine capabilities, a balanced approach to skill development is crucial. The WEF projects that by 2027, 42% of business tasks will be performed by machines, while 58% will remain in human hands. This shift stresses the need for a dual focus in upskilling initiatives that prioritize both digital skills like AI, machine learning, and data analytics and soft skills such as analytical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. These skills are essential for navigating the changing workplace and complementing AI and other digital competencies.

Our Global Skills Report highlights this dual need of digital and human skills. While regions like Europe and Latin America feature human skills like resilience and culture building alongside their top digital skills, other regions like Sub-Saharan Africa focus on foundational capabilities like business communication and spreadsheet software.

4. Emphasizing ethical AI practices

As AI becomes more prevalent, leading businesses are prioritizing ethical considerations in their training. This approach, supported by Coursera's GenAI Academy courses and its focus on upskilling without compromising ethics, ensures responsible AI adoption and mitigates potential risks. This also equips functional teams to succinctly understand and adopt GenAI best practices related to their business function.

5. Fostering a culture of continuous learning

Successful upskilling initiatives go beyond one-off training sessions. They embed learning into the fabric of the organization, encouraging ongoing skill development and knowledge sharing. “Continuous learning is the key enabler to retaining and developing talent,” says Sumegha Lazarus, SGM & Head, Content and Digital Learning at Reliance Industries Limited. 

 The path forward: building a future-ready workforce

As we look ahead, it's clear that the ability to continuously upskill and reskill employees will be a key differentiator for businesses. The digital and GenAI skills gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Organizations that rise to this challenge by investing in their workforce's capabilities will be better positioned to innovate, compete, and thrive in the AI era.

To embark on this journey, consider leveraging comprehensive solutions like Coursera's GenAI Academy. By equipping your teams with cutting-edge AI skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning, you can:

• Drive innovation and productivity across your organization.

• Promote ethical and responsible AI adoption.

• Empower leaders to drive change effectively as roles evolve.

• Create a sustainable competitive advantage in the AI-driven economy.

Ready to equip employees with GenAI skills? Discover how GenAI Academy can transform your workforce for the AI era.