AI Skills vs. AI-Enhanced Skills: What to Target to Land a Dream Job

Pepi Valderrama
4 min readApr 26, 2024

What’s best to land your dream job: AI skills or AI-enhanced skills? AI is reshaping not just the types of jobs available but also the skill sets that employers value most. Today, a blend of traditional tech skills and AI-enhanced capabilities is the new standard for tech-related employment. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities.

The Integration of AI in Modern Roles

The demand for AI competence in the job market has led to a significant shift in what constitutes a desirable skill set. Traditionally, roles in technology required a solid foundation in coding, system design, and data management. However, with AI at the core of many evolving roles, you have the ability to work effectively with AI tools and processes using AI-enhanced skills.

Accenture, for example, has trained 600,000 of its employees in the fundamentals of AI, emphasizing the importance of integrating AI into everyday business processes. This training aims to enable employees to use AI equitably and without bias, enhancing productivity and decision-making within the company.

Emerging Roles and Opportunities

With the incorporation of AI into various business functions, new job titles and roles are emerging that focus specifically on AI and data analytics. For instance, a product team member today might be expected to understand how to use ChatGPT to create more efficient user interfaces, or a solutions architect might use AI to develop scalable solutions to complex problems. This shift highlights the growing importance of AI in creating innovative solutions and improving business efficiency.

The Value of Traditional Skills Enhanced by AI

While new AI-focused roles are on the rise, traditional technology skills remain invaluable. Coding, system integration, and data management are foundational skills that AI enhances, not replaces. The key difference in the AI-enhanced workplace is the application of these skills alongside AI tools to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness.

For example, engineers are now expected to use AI tools like GitHub Copilot to improve their coding efficiency. These tools assist by suggesting code snippets and logical flows. They reduce the time engineers spend on routine coding tasks. These also allow them to focus on more complex problem-solving.

Training and Adaptation to AI Tools

As AI continues to permeate various aspects of technology jobs, ongoing training and adaptation become essential. Companies like JPMorgan Chase emphasize the need for their employees to update their skills continuously, including AI and machine learning. This ensures that employees remain competitive. It also ensures that the company can stay at the forefront of innovation in financial technology.

Essential Skills in the AI Era

Certain timeless business skills remain critical in addition to technical skills. Curiosity, collaboration, and a customer-focused approach are as important as ever. Employers value technologists who can solve problems and innovate solutions tailored to their customers’ unique needs.

Moreover, attributes such as determination, resiliency, and adaptability are highly valued. JPMorgan Chase, for instance, values these qualities over traditional educational qualifications. They recognize the diverse paths that lead to expertise in software engineering.

Navigating the AI-Enhanced Job Market

For professionals looking to thrive in this new job market, understanding both the opportunities and the demands of AI-enhanced roles is crucial. This involves not only gaining proficiency with AI tools but also understanding how these tools can be integrated into various business processes to enhance productivity and innovation.

Furthermore, networking and continuous learning through conferences and seminars, such as JPMorgan Chase’s DEVUP and AI Summit, can provide valuable insights into the latest developments in AI applications across industries.

Add Prompting To Your Skillset Enhancing Your Resume

You Lost Your Job. Now What? Surviving the AI Shift” provides a roadmap for those directly impacted by AI-related job disruptions. It also offers valuable insights for anyone looking to understand the future of work in an increasingly automated world. This book encourages readers to look beyond their immediate fears and to see AI as an opportunity to enhance their careers and workplaces.

If you need more guidance, get Enhance Your Resume With AI — The Guide now. It’s packed with prompting techniques and examples, best practices, and more!

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Pepi Valderrama

I’m an inspirational and motivational life coach and author who is passionate about helping you become the best version of yourself.