The number of job postings that require at least one artificial intelligence (AI) skill has increased from 0.5 percent in 2010 to 1.7 percent in 2024. This is according to a new study by three economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
This growth in demand is due to more technical roles used to produce AI and more workers using AI at their jobs. Over one-quarter of workers have used AI at work. AI skills are more than being able to use ChatGPT. Top AI skills for Bachelor’s or higher jobs include machine learning, generative artificial intelligence, Apache Spark, predictive modeling, deep learning, TensorFlow, PyTorch (machine learning library), natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
The highest demand for AI skills is in computer and mathematical occupations, where 12.3 percent of job postings require at least one AI skill. However, four other broad occupational groups have greater than 2 percent of job postings requiring AI skills: architecture and engineering, business and financial operations, management, and life, physical, and social science.
In Augusta, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, out of 229,650 occupations in the metro area, 4,430 were in computer and mathematical occupations. There were a further 33,420 occupations in the other high AI-demand occupations. In total, about 16% of occupations locally would be considered to have high AI demand.
The authors also found that job postings requiring AI skills were concentrated in work requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. These job postings covered a range of occupations, including sales, legal, and production occupations in addition to the five listed above. Workers with an associate’s degree or high school diploma only saw high demand for AI skills in computer and mathematical occupations.
Overall, demand for AI skills is concentrated in computer and mathematical occupations at all educational levels. AI skills are also highly demanded in several additional occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
