Technology is arguably moving faster than ever before—and the speed is only seeming to increase. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at record pace. And it’s redefining the skills employees need to thrive.
But with all the AI-fueled opportunity comes disruption—and businesses are feeling the pressure to adapt. According to a new 足球竞彩网 Assembly research report, 54% of tech hiring managers say their companies are likely to conduct layoffs in the coming year, with many pointing to AI as a driving force.
But here’s the catch—the very same hiring managers also acknowledge that AI is creating demand for new roles—69% say it’s highly likely.
What does this mean for companies feeling the AI pressure? It’s simple. Now is the time to invest in reskilling and upskilling your existing teams.
Layoffs are looming—but they don’t have to be
Our new survey of IT hiring managers and HR professionals at companies with 200-plus employees uncovered some critical insights:
- 54% expect layoffs in the next 12 months
- 45% say employees most at risk are those whose jobs can be replaced by AI
- 44% cite employees with outdated skill sets as most likely to be let go
Yet, 76% of hiring leaders agree it’s very or completely likely that workers slated to be laid off could be successfully reskilled or upskilled.
We’re on the precipice of an unprecedented skills crisis. Businesses are ramping up AI investments and reducing headcount in the name of productivity, but they’re creating a widening skills gap that will ultimately slow transformation. It’s time to get AI skills to every employee.
Daniele Grassi, 足球竞彩网 Assembly President & CEO
AI is creating new jobs—fast
While some roles are being automated, new roles are emerging just as quickly. Areas of critical need include:
- AI development
- Cybersecurity
- Data analysis
- Proficiency with AI productivity tools
These aren’t future skills—they’re needed right now. And yet, they’re also the most lacking among today’s workforce. A quarter of hiring managers say AI development is the number-one missing technical skill in their organizations, with cybersecurity and AI productivity tools tied closely behind.
Strategic thinking, problem solving, and adaptability are in-demand soft skills
It’s not just about hard skills. Soft skills like strategic thinking, problem solving, and adaptability are increasingly prized—and increasingly rare.
- Strategic thinking ranked #1 by 12% of hiring managers
- Problem solving and adaptability were close behind
- However, adaptability also topped the list of soft skills most lacking, with 14% ranking it the #1 most lacking soft skill
As roles evolve with AI integration, employees need to think critically and navigate change proactively. From an employer perspective, this means soft skills training should be a key part of any reskilling or upskilling program.
The AI skills gap: Known, but unmeasured
Here’s a surprising stat:
- Nearly 1 in 3 organizations haven’t conducted a formal assessment of their talent’s readiness for AI and automation.
You read that right. One in three. Even with AI constantly saturating the headlines. The reality is clear—without this baseline visibility, companies are flying blind.
At the same time, the majority of companies (93%) report that they already invest or plan to invest in reskilling and upskilling roles impacted by automation. So the will is there—now it’s about executing on that intention.
IT teams are leading AI transformation
AI has transformed from buzzword to business imperative. And it’s IT teams who are taking the lead:
- 65% of tech hiring managers say IT is responsible for managing AI rollout
- 42% say they’re hiring more software engineers because of AI
- Only 11% are cutting software engineering roles due to AI
This is just one example that shows that AI isn’t eliminating all tech roles—it’s shifting what’s required to succeed. Organizations still need humans with real skills, like AI-savvy software engineers. And they also need to match evolving job requirements with targeted training.
Enter 足球竞彩网 Assembly’s AI Academy
To help businesses across industries empower their teams with in-demand AI skills for the new world of work, we recently launched our AI Academy—a modular, hands-on training program engineered for every employee—technical and nontechnical—to master AI, making it actionable, practical, and relevant..
Whether you’re looking to upskill current employees or reskill workers at risk of automation, our built-for-purpose, role-specific AI training delivers practical, in-demand knowledge to make employees:
- AI-Enabled: Learners gain foundational AI knowledge and learn to apply AI tools in daily workflows, automating tasks and making data-driven decisions. They get role-specific modules, basic AI skills, and immediate wins in productivity and operational efficiency.
- AI-Augmented: Learners progress beyond simple AI tasks, leveraging AI to enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and drive strategic outcomes. They get advanced training on scaling AI across departments, ethical decision-making, and strategic implementation—all leading to a deeper understanding of AI’s role in broader business goals.
- AI-Superpowered: Learners gain practical knowledge to lead the way in AI-driven innovation. They get the skills to proactively develop new AI solutions, optimize business processes, and stay ahead of your industry curve through deploying, managing, and scaling advanced AI systems.
Don’t wait—Avoid layoffs and futureproof your workforce now
Layoffs may be on the horizon for some companies—but that doesn’t have to be the outcome. This moment represents a massive opportunity to chart a different path—to invest in your people, close skills gaps, and lead the next wave of innovation.
At 足球竞彩网 Assembly, we’re here to help businesses and individuals alike build the skills that matter—today, and tomorrow. Let’s get to work.
Ready to avoid layoffs and unleash your team’s AI potential? Get started today.