Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is undoubtedly a hot topic in the tech industry. As a tech career coach, I’ve noticed that nearly every leader I speak with is eager to develop their AI skills, and for good reason.
A staggering 62% of employers expect candidates and workers to have at least some familiarity with GenAI, according to an Employability Report from Cengage Group. Nearly one in four recruiting professionals have updated job descriptions to reflect the need for it, according to a recent report from LinkedIn.
Moreover, 92% of companies plan to increase their AI investments in the next 3 years, according to a recent McKinsey report.
So, what are the most essential skills for the modern tech leader, and how can you develop and market them effectively to stay competitive?
In this article, I cover:
- What AI skills are and why they’re crucial in today’s competitive job market
- 4 of the most in-demand AI skills for tech leaders
- Key strategies for developing your AI competency
- How learning about AI advances your career prospects
- Effective ways to market your AI skills to prospective employers
What Are AI Skills?
Before diving in, let’s define AI skills. Theresa Fesinstine, founder of peoplepower.ai, an AI education consultancy supporting human resources leaders and teams, defines AI skills as “the capabilities needed to understand, develop, or apply AI technology effectively.”
According to her, “These skills can range from technical expertise, like programming or working with machine learning algorithms, to practical problem-solving skills like understanding how AI can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks or enhance decision-making.”
Expanding on her definition, I’d add that AI skills also include critical thinking and ethical judgment. While you can drive innovation, you must apply AI ethically and responsibly.
The Most In-Demand AI Skills For Tech Leaders
What are the most in-demand AI skills for tech professionals and executives aiming to advance in their careers?
Fesinstine notes that these skills are evolving rapidly as AI tools continue to advance. However, she emphasizes that demand extends far beyond just technical coding abilities. “It’s for leaders who know how to connect AI to business strategy,” says Fesinstine.
She highlights several critical AI skills to develop if you want to remain competitive in the job market:
- AI governance
- Ethical AI use
- Data strategy
- Project management for AI initiatives
In preparing clients for job searches and interviews, I’ve found that companies are increasingly demanding additional skills like machine learning, prompt engineering, and risk management from tech leaders.
“Tech leaders who can inspire their teams and articulate the value of AI-driven solutions are the ones standing out,” adds Fesinstine.
How To Develop Your AI Skills
If you’re looking to improve your AI skills, Fesinstine offers several actionable recommendations for you:
Start small.
If you’re new to AI, begin by experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Canva’s AI features to see practical applications in action.
For structured learning, Fesinstine specifically recommends beginner-friendly courses like AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng, which introduces foundational concepts in an accessible way.
Learn from AI thought leaders.
Since AI evolves rapidly, you need to remain informed. Fesinstine suggests following thought leaders and communities who share practical insights and real-world applications.
Here are a few prominent AI influencers you can learn from:
Additionally, subscribing to newsletters and setting up news alerts from trusted sources can help you stay up to date. These are some great ones to start with:
Dive deeper into AI.
As your AI understanding grows, you can explore advanced topics like ethical AI frameworks or crafting AI policies for organizations.
Fesinstine also recommends researching enterprise-level tools like Microsoft Azure, OpenAI, IBM Watson, and Dataiku for practical insights into industry-focused solutions.
Develop cross-discipline partnerships.
You want to avoid working in silos and build partnerships across disciplines. This will allow you to more deeply understand how others are applying AI and creating impact.
“Ask them what they are using and how it creates value. Assume they’ve done their research,” says Fesinstine.
Experiment and grow.
“The best way to learn is by doing” emphasizes Fesinstine. Experiment with small-scale applications in your workplace and life to see their impact firsthand. You can test new tools and run pilot projects then adjust as you go.
Participate in hands-on projects.
Building upon this, I’d recommend looking into opportunities to engage in real-world projects to gain practical experience. This might include participating in a hackathon, starting a side hustle, or developing your skills through volunteer work with an organization like Catchafire.
Can AI Help You Get A Job?
You might be wondering whether learning AI can help you get a job in tech or advance in your career. The short answer is a resounding yes!
As a tech career coach, I’ve observed that a significant portion of companies are looking for candidates who possess fluency in AI, even for roles that seem unrelated to it at first glance. This trend is becoming increasingly prevalent across various industries.
Fesinstine agrees and explains that “AI is reshaping every industry and function.” This transformation is creating new opportunities for those with AI skills, regardless of their specific role or sector.
In a saturated job market, AI knowledge can be your competitive advantage. However, you must demonstrate how you’ll use these skills to benefit the company. It’s not just about understanding AI; it’s about applying it effectively to drive business value.
“If you can show that you not only understand AI but also know how to apply it to solve real-world problems, you’ll stand out,” notes Fesinstine.
How To Market AI Skills On Your Resume
Once you learn AI skills, how do you market them on your resume and in your job search? Fesinstine has some advice:
Be specific.
Mention the names of the tools or methods you’ve used, says Fesinstine. For example, highlight your experience with “ChatGPT for drafting reports” or “building agents for creating customer service workflows.” This level of detail demonstrates your practical knowledge and familiarity with current AI technologies.
Show the results.
Include metrics that illustrate the impact of your work. Ask yourself:
- How many hours did you save?
- What outcomes did you improve?
Quantifying your achievements helps potential employers understand the tangible value you can bring to their organization.
[Read: How To Identify Your Career Accomplishments: 40+ Powerful Questions]
Demonstrate learning.
Provide evidence that you’re proactive and consistently staying ahead. This could look like highlighting your certifications or self-initiated learning projects on your resume or LinkedIn profile.
Because tech is constantly evolving, be ready to answer interview questions about how you stay on top of the latest AI trends. These questions might sound like:
- How do you keep up with the latest developments in AI?
- Can you share how you’ve used GenAI to drive efficiency?
- How do you see AI impacting our industry in the next 5 years?
Tailor your documents.
Customize your resume for each role you target. Use the job posting as a guide for choosing which skills and projects to incorporate. This targeted approach ensures that your AI skills align closely with the specific requirements of each position you’re applying for.
[Read: How To Make Your Job Application Stand Out: 6 Actionable Tips]
Final Thoughts
If you’re just beginning your AI skills development journey, this list might feel a bit overwhelming at first. Consider starting small and chipping away at one skill at a time. It’s more important that you take action than to feel like you need to tackle everything at once. Focus on making progress rather than striving for perfection. You’ve got this!
