Cisco's Collaborative Approach to Navigating the Impact of AI on the ICT Workforce

Cisco , along with eight other prominent companies, has taken a proactive and collaborative approach to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workforce. Through their participation in the US-EU Trade and Technology Council's Talent for Growth Task Force, these companies have come together to evaluate the transformative effects of AI on various job roles within the ICT sector.

The collaborative effort, spearheaded by Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins , aims to provide insights and guidance that will benefit the participating companies and serve as a valuable resource for organizations worldwide as they navigate the changing landscape of work in the AI era. According to the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2023, in the next five years, 83 million jobs are projected to be lost, and 69 million are projected to be created, constituting a structural labor market churn of 152 million jobs, or 23% of the 673 million jobs reflected in the dataset. This constitutes a reduction in employment of 2% or 14 million jobs. The consortium's primary focus has been to assess the impact of AI on a wide range of ICT roles, with a particular emphasis on entry-level positions, which are considered to be at the highest risk of transformation.

In pursuit of shaping a future-ready workforce, the Consortium has laid out ambitious objectives aimed at enhancing skills and training across the globe. Over the next decade, these initiatives are projected to benefit more than 95 million individuals worldwide. The commitments made by Consortium members are as follows:

-              Cisco has pledged to equip 25 million individuals with cybersecurity and digital skills by the year 2032.

-              IBM has set a target to provide digital skills training to 30 million people by 2030, focusing on equipping 2 million of them with AI capabilities.

-              Intel is dedicated to preparing over 30 million people with the AI skills necessary for current and future employment opportunities by 2030.

-              Microsoft has committed to training and certifying 10 million individuals in digital skills by 2025. Notably, Microsoft has already exceeded this goal by training and certifying 12.6 million people a year ahead of schedule.

-             SAP aims to upskill 2 million individuals across the globe by 2025.

-              Google has announced an investment of over $130 million to fund AI training and skill development programs for people in the US, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

"AI represents a never-before-seen opportunity for technology to benefit humankind in every way, and we have to act intentionally to make sure populations don't get left behind," said Francine Katsoudas , Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco, and founding member of the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium. 

From Technical Writers and Business Intelligence Analysts to Cybersecurity Analysts and Database Administrators, every role within the ICT sector is experiencing a shift. The report meticulously categorizes these roles into seven clusters based on functional and technical skillsets, providing a clear view of AI's impact across the spectrum.

For Technical Writers, AI's ability to automate documentation significantly reduces the hours spent on manual writing, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value tasks such as project management and strategic planning. Similarly, Business Intelligence Analysts are witnessing a paradigm shift where AI automates routine data analysis, enabling them to concentrate on deriving strategic insights and decision-making.

Cybersecurity Analysts are adapting to a landscape where AI can streamline tasks like malware analysis, pushing professionals to enhance their skills in areas that require human oversight, such as information assurance and risk management. Meanwhile, Database Administrators are finding that while AI can automate performance tuning and documentation, the human expertise in troubleshooting and systems management still needs to be improved.

One of the consortium's key findings is that AI will partially or highly transform an astonishing 92% of ICT jobs. This highlights the urgent need for companies to adapt and upskill their workforce to meet the demands of the evolving technological landscape. The report also identifies critical skills that will become increasingly relevant across the 47 roles studied, including data fundamentals, prompt engineering, and AI literacy.

Cisco recognizes that the impact of AI on the workforce presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI has the potential to drive economic growth, productivity, and innovation, it also raises concerns about the risk of specific populations being left behind. To address this, Cisco is committed to fostering an inclusive future for all through an AI-enabled workforce.

A crucial takeaway from the report is the pressing need for upskilling. As AI automates routine tasks, the demand for advanced skills such as AI model development, cloud AI, and prompt engineering is on the rise. The report emphasizes that soft skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal collaboration, will continue to be invaluable, underscoring the importance of a balanced skill set in the AI-augmented workplace.

Furthermore, the report highlights the significance of AI ethics and responsible AI, suggesting that as we delve deeper into this technological frontier, professionals must not only be proficient in AI technologies but also in ensuring their ethical application. This dual focus on technical acumen and ethical considerations reflects the complex nature of AI's integration into the workplace.

Internally, Cisco has already taken steps to prepare its employees for the changes brought about by AI. Cisco offers Gen AI literacy courses, quarterly training sessions on innovation and systems thinking, and networking tutorials through Cisco University. Additionally, the company encourages community learning and focuses on skills evolution to ensure its workforce remains competitive in the face of technological advancements.

One notable initiative within Cisco is a pilot program that encourages employees to undergo AI training and apply their newly acquired knowledge to their daily job roles. The overwhelming response to this program, with 800 employees volunteering to participate, demonstrates the workforce's eagerness to embrace AI and adapt to the changing nature of work.

Cisco also recognizes the value of its external approach to skill certification through its Networking Academy. By providing accessible and flexible training options to individuals who may not have the necessary skills or capabilities, Cisco is helping to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for people to enter the tech industry.

The "Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs" report serves as a call for both organizations and professionals to proactively embrace AI's potential. By understanding the specific impacts on various job roles and the emerging skills required, stakeholders can chart a course toward a future where AI and human expertise synergize to create more efficient, innovative, and fulfilling workplaces.