Generative AI Demand Soars 1,800% for US Employers

Published on Oct 20, 2023

Written by Lightcast Press Office

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New Skills Sought for Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Curriculum Writers in Past 12 Months

(Boston, MA) - Oct. 19, 2023 - Job postings demanding skills in generative AI have soared 1,848% in 2023, as companies work to develop new artificial intelligence applications, according to Lightcast labor market analysis.

In 2022, there were only 519 job postings calling for generative AI, Lightcast data shows. So far in 2023, and since the debut of ChatGPT in December 2022, there have been 10,113 generative AI postings, an increase of 1,848%. There were more than 385,000 postings for all forms of artificial intelligence roles so far in 2023.

The roles most affected are those developing new AI applications, like data scientists and software engineers. But a notable exception is curriculum writers, as the education community works to bring AI knowledge into its offerings.

“This change for curriculum writers may be the first sign of the second wave of AI, where this technology starts to reshape jobs outside the tech industry. The future of work is going to be defined by how humans work alongside AI and this will be a key occupation to watch,” said Layla O’Kane, Senior Economist at Lightcast.

Lightcast conducted its analysis based on more than 194  million online job postings since 2019.

Key takeaways:

  • The top generative AI employers include side hustle app Fud, educational company Chegg, Meta, Capital One, and Amazon. This shows the wide ranges of organizations working to integrate this technology into their services.

“Adding a new skill to job descriptions is often a sign that a company has moved from experimenting with a new technology to making a real strategic commitment to it. Right now a lot of organizations are still in the experimental stage, but as they make key business decisions we may well see this list grow,” said Senior Economist Layla O’Kane.

  • Most of the occupations involved are those already involved in AI development, such as Machine Learning Engineers and Artificial Intelligence Engineers. This reflects the intense development process companies are going through as they develop new applications.

  • More established AI technologies still dominate job postings, and generative AI remains comparatively small. Machine learning, for example, has been requested in 163,559 postings so far in 2023.

“AI is an addition to other human and specialized skills, not a substitution. If you’re looking for a career in artificial intelligence, clearly you need generative AI skills but you also need other AI skills such as machine learning and neural networks. And if you’re looking to get ahead in a field that may be reshaped by AI, you still need the more traditional skills there as well,” said Senior Economist Layla O’Kane.

Charts:

Generative AI: Number of Monthly Job Postings in the US
Top Employers for Postings Referencing Generative AI
Top job titles for postings referencing Generative AI

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Lightcast provides trusted global labor market data, analytics, and expert guidance that empowers communities, corporations, and learning providers to make informed decisions and navigate the increasingly complex world of work. With a database of more than one billion job postings and career profiles, our team provides best-in-class customer service with robust data, clear analysis, and expert guidance on skills, jobs, and opportunities.

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Press contact: Scott Bittle

Email: media@lightcast.io