TLDR: A new report by the AI Workforce Consortium, led by Cisco, reveals that 78% of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) roles now demand AI technical skills. The study, ‘ICT in Motion: The Next Wave of AI Integration,’ highlights that AI-related positions dominate tech job growth, with significant demand for specialized AI skills and a critical emphasis on human skills like communication and leadership for ethical AI adoption. The Consortium, comprising major tech companies, has pledged to upskill 95 million individuals globally over the next decade.
San Jose, Calif. – September 16, 2025 – The AI Workforce Consortium, spearheaded by Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), today released its second comprehensive study, ‘ICT in Motion: The Next Wave of AI Integration.’ The report underscores a profound transformation in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, revealing that AI skills are now a pervasive requirement, integrated into 78% of all ICT job roles analyzed across G7 countries.
The Consortium, a robust private sector collaboration, includes industry giants such as Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Their findings are based on extensive job posting data collected from July 2024 to June 2025 across Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Key Insights from the 2025 Report:
AI Skills are Pervasive: A staggering 78% of ICT job roles now incorporate AI skills, marking a significant shift in workforce demands across the G7 nations.
AI Dominates Job Growth: Seven out of the ten fastest-growing ICT roles are directly related to AI, including positions like AI/ML Engineer, AI Risk & Governance Specialist, and NLP Engineer.
Criticality of AI Ethics and Governance: The demand for skills in AI Governance has surged by 150%, and AI Ethics by 125%, emphasizing the urgent need for expertise at the intersection of technology, law, and ethical considerations.
Skills Deficit and Human Element: A critical skills gap exists in emerging areas such as generative AI, large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, AI ethics, and AI security. Concurrently, human skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership are increasingly prioritized for responsible technology adoption.
Surge in Specialized AI Skills: The AI landscape is rapidly evolving from chatbots to advanced agents, driving a substantial demand for specialized skills. Noteworthy increases include AI security (+298%), foundation model adaptation (+267%), responsible AI (+256%), and multi-agent systems (+245%).
Tech Hubs Lead AI Job Growth: Silicon Valley continues to be a global AI powerhouse, experiencing a 156% increase in AI-related jobs. London and Toronto also show significant growth, while emerging hubs like Manchester, Lyon, and Vancouver are witnessing over 70% AI job growth.
Francine Katsoudas, Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer at Cisco, commented on the findings: “As AI reshapes our world and work, people remain at the center. This year’s report makes clear that 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. We are committed to building a workforce that is ready for this new era of growth, and to give people everywhere the opportunity to learn, contribute and benefit.”
Consortium members collectively committed to upskilling and reskilling 95 million individuals globally over the next decade. To support this ambitious goal, they have introduced new resources accessible via an interactive AI chatbot:
AI Workforce Playbook: A strategic guide designed to align workforce development with business and AI objectives, offering real-world use cases and data-driven insights to bridge skill gaps for secure and responsible AI adoption.
Updated Learning Recommendations: A comprehensive database featuring over 200 curated courses, providing job-specific guidance on essential technical and AI skills.
AI Skills Glossary: A standardized resource aimed at unifying AI terminology across education, industry, and policy, reflecting the latest advancements in AI platforms and tools.
Leaders from various Consortium members echoed the report’s urgency and importance:
Ryan Oakes, Global Health & Public Service Industry Practices Chair at Accenture, emphasized the need for a workforce “fluent in advanced technologies and grounded in the human skills that build public trust.”
Himanshu Palsule, CEO of Cornerstone, highlighted that “skills demands and job requirements around AI are rising exponentially… But AI demand in technical roles also brings an increasing need for human skills alongside it.”
Ashutosh Garg, Co-founder and CEO of Eightfold AI, stressed the importance of “C-level support and a human-centric design in AI initiatives to ensure the transformational results that they seek.”
Lisa Gevelber, Founder of Grow with Google, stated unequivocally: “The data is clear: AI skills are essential for today’s jobs.”
Justina Nixon-Saintil, VP and Chief Impact Officer at IBM, noted that “AI skills have quickly shifted from optional to essential across all industries, becoming the new currency of innovation.”
Svenja Gudell, Chief Economist at Indeed, observed that “AI is changing the very DNA of jobs and with it redefining the job market as we know it.”
Greg Ernst, Corporate Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Intel, underscored that “a vibrant ecosystem of AI education and workforce development is vital.”
Andre Bechtold, President of SAP Industries & Experiences, reiterated the imperative to “deliver AI based on the highest security and ethical standards.”
Also Read:
- South Africa’s Job Market Transforms as Demand for AI Skills Skyrockets by 77% Annually
- New Study Highlights ‘Evidence-Based Creativity’ as Essential for Marketers in the AI Age
This report serves as a critical call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to proactively invest in workforce development to navigate the rapidly evolving AI-driven economy responsibly and effectively.
