Future-proofing your career: Why upskilling in AI is non-negotiable

It doesn’t matter whether you belong to Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, or Boomers; what matters is your relevance and leverage in the global workspace. The AI market size worldwide is forecasted to be $826.73 billion by 2030 (Statista Artificial Intelligence (AI) Job – Industries and Markets Report, p.4). The pressure on employees to upskill is mounting to remain relevant to organizations, as well as the desperation for organizations to stay competitive in the face of fierce and rising competition.

Job descriptions and roles put out by human resource organizations are rapidly changing from the ones recently known, such as Data Analyst. Roles with the “AI” prefix, such as AI Trainer, AI Compliance Officer, AI Data Analyst, AI Auditor, AI Security Specialist, AI/Machine Learning Specialist, AI in Finance, and AI in Business, are fast becoming a reality for early-career, mid-career, and senior professionals alike.

One under-estimated and under-utilized skill that professionals need to embrace is Prompt Engineering. In simple terms, it involves learning how to use Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to ask the right questions and extract the most accurate and meaningful responses. Its application spans a wide range of professions, from educators to medical personnel. Prompt Engineering is a career area on the rise, demanding proficiency in linguistics (the use of words, phrases, and sentence structures), problem-solving, and critical thinking skills—meaning the ability to break down problems into manageable bits.

As the global job market becomes increasingly dominated by AI and other emerging technologies, STEAMLEDGE, a forward-thinking technology training company that offers hands-on learning, mentorship, and internship opportunities to help individuals and organizations stay competitive in the evolving tech industry has remained committed to empowering professionals at all levels to stay relevant and thrive. “Our mission is to build a workforce ready for the future,” says Latinwo Olugbenga Olasumbo, COO of Steamledge. “Because whether you’re just starting your career or you’re a seasoned professional, upskilling in AI is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.”

The demand for the use of Generative AI, a text-generating tool, has surged exponentially since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, with global topic consumption growing by 4,400 percent (Statista, Artificial Job Market Report; Leading IT Skills Worldwide, p.10). Other tools, such as DeepL, Jasper Chat, Simplified, and YouChat, are also impressive text-generation tools to explore. Key uses include learning new topics, writing code, automated testing, debugging, pair programming, data analytics, and much more for tech professionals.

In the age of human-robot interaction (Co-Bot), soft skills will be a crucial differentiating factor in making early- or mid-career tech professionals stand out. Technical upskilling often relies on excellent soft skills, such as curiosity (always wanting to know the “why”), lifelong learning (the willingness to learn new methods or consolidate old ones), creative and analytical thinking (breaking down complexities into simpler parts), dependability, attention to detail, flexibility, and agility. The opportunities are endless for workers who can act swiftly and adapt.

Fresh graduates and early-career professionals can leverage mentorship or internship programs that provide hands-on, on-the-job learning in forward-thinking, people-driven organizations.

STEAMLEDGE LIMITED is one such organization, offering not only technology training but also internship, mentorship, and shadowing opportunities on live projects. This practical experience allows individuals to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts, significantly boosting their employability and career growth. According to COO Latinwo Olugbenga Olasumbo, “At STEAMLEDGE, we believe that mentorship unlocks the full potential of tech talent. By working alongside industry experts, our interns and mentees are exposed to real-life challenges that help shape confident, well-rounded professionals.”

Olugbenga is a STEAM enthusiast and an operation, and project management professional with a solid research background and ample industry experience. He presently provides his professional expertise by helping organizations integrate and adopt new technologies and innovative research sustainably.