More than three-quarters of information and communication technology (ICT) roles across advanced economies now require artificial intelligence (AI) skills, according to a study released on Tuesday by the AI Workforce Consortium, a group of global technology and consulting companies led by Cisco.
The consortium’s annual report, ICT in Motion: The Next Wave of AI Integration, analysed job postings between July 2024 and June 2025 across G7 countries and found that 78% of ICT roles now include AI-related skills.
It also said seven of the ten fastest-growing roles in the sector are AI-related, including positions such as AI and machine learning engineer, natural language processing engineer, and AI risk and governance specialist.
The report said demand has risen sharply for expertise in generative AI, large language models, prompt engineering, AI ethics and AI security. At the same time, it emphasised that “human skills” such as communication, collaboration and leadership are increasingly prioritised for responsible adoption of technology.
Demand for ethics and governance
The consortium said skills in AI governance had risen by 150% and AI ethics by 125%, reflecting the need for knowledge at the intersection of technology, law and regulation. It reported particularly strong growth in demand for specialised AI skills, with requirements for AI security up 298%, foundation model adaptation up 267% and multi-agent systems up 245%.
Francine Katsoudas, chief people, policy and purpose officer at Cisco, said in a statement that technical knowledge alone would not be sufficient. “AI skills open exciting new doors, but it’s the combination of technical expertise and human strengths like collaboration and leadership that will truly shape a brighter future,” she said.
Regional hotspots
According to the consortium, job growth has been strongest in established hubs such as Silicon Valley, which saw a 156% increase in AI-related positions, followed by London and Toronto. Secondary hubs including Manchester, Lyon and Vancouver also recorded more than 70% growth in AI jobs.
The consortium members – which include Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft and SAP – said they had collectively committed to upskilling and reskilling 95 million people worldwide over the next decade.
To support that effort, the group launched resources including a Workforce Playbook to help organisations align training with business goals, updated learning recommendations covering more than 200 courses, and an AI skills glossary intended to standardise terminology across industry and education.
Several consortium members emphasised the urgency of preparing workers for AI-driven changes. Himanshu Palsule, chief executive of Cornerstone, said the pace of change was “exponential” and that employers would need to balance technical training with the cultivation of adaptability and human-centred skills.
Ashutosh Garg, CEO of Eightfold AI, warned that without senior leadership backing and a focus on human-centred design, AI initiatives could face poor adoption rates and heightened ethical risks.
Google’s Lisa Gevelber, founder of the Grow with Google programme, said the data showed “AI skills are essential for today’s jobs”, while IBM vice president Justina Nixon-Saintil described AI skills as “the new currency of innovation”.
Policy push
The findings come as governments in the G7 and beyond weigh regulatory approaches to AI while simultaneously promoting workforce readiness. Experts say countries face a dual challenge: managing the risks of AI in areas such as misinformation and security, while ensuring workers can adapt to rapidly changing job requirements.
The consortium said it hopes its playbook and glossary will give organisations practical tools to build responsible AI adoption strategies. But observers note that reskilling tens of millions of workers globally will require sustained cooperation between industry, governments and education systems, and significant investment.
