The AI Skills Workers Need to Advance Their Careers

Although some AI-related skills may sound limited to technology roles, many are already being applied in front-line jobs across industries. Hospital systems, for example, can use AI to manage patient logistics, while school districts can use it to process administrative reports.

Why validating AI output is an essential workplace skill

Some important AI skills are not receiving as much attention as they should. Only 30% of managers and business owners say it is absolutely necessary to determine whether AI-generated output is correct or incorrect, ranking the skill sixth out of seven on the list.

As AI tools become more common across industries, the ability to identify errors before they cause problems will become increasingly valuable. Work experience is especially helpful in this area: to recognize an incorrect answer, employees need to understand what the correct answer should be.

How early AI adoption can benefit your career

Adopting AI early can give employees a clear professional advantage. According to TripleTen’s investigation, 88% of employee-driven AI innovations became standard company practices after managers learned new skills and adopted the automated processes developed by employees.

In industries that adopt AI early, employees can help shape organizational policies by identifying repetitive administrative tasks and using AI tools to streamline them. As healthcare networks, educational institutions, and retail businesses begin deploying AI-enabled software more widely, employees who know how to validate AI output, write effective prompts, and automate daily tasks will have a significant advantage.

Employees who can reduce administrative costs may have better opportunities for retention, promotion, and pay increases.

“Everyone talks about saving time, but the real win with early adoption is actually expanding what you can do,” said Ana Ryabova, head of AI strategy and enablement at TripleTen. “People who are rising through the ranks are using it to handle work that previously had to be taken over. It doesn’t matter how senior or junior you are. You retain your core skills, but suddenly you’re no longer tied to them.”

The AI training resource gap: Who pays for employee development?

As non-technology industries gradually adopt AI tools, workers will face another challenge: gaining access to high-quality learning resources. Out-of-pocket spending on professional development varies widely by industry.

• Technology: Average of $1,758; 13% spend $0
• Finance: Average of $1,664; 24% spend $0
• Healthcare: Average of $990; 45% spend $0
• Education: Average of $883; 42% spend $0

Almost half of healthcare and education workers spent no money out of pocket on professional development last year. Technology employees are also actively using a wider variety of learning channels, reflecting the broader AI adoption curve.

Figure 3: Professional development efforts reflect the AI adoption curve.