Expect To See These Technical Skills Gaps In The Next Year

It’s becoming increasingly clear that a seismic shift in the technological landscape is underway. This shift is not just about faster computers or the rise of ChatGPT; it’s a fundamental change in the skills we need to navigate our future. I see this every day in my company’s work with organizations hiring and developing technical talent: The rapid evolution of technology is leading to major skill gaps in the tech workforce. Let’s dig into each of these.

‍1. Generative AI

The rise of generative AI, like OpenAI’s GPT models, is revolutionizing how we interact with technology.

However, there’s a growing gap in skills related to the development, management and ethical use of these AI systems. A recent report from the World Economic Forum finds that company executives expect up to 40% of their workforce will need to reskill to keep up with AI and automation innovations.

Professionals won’t just need to understand how to use AI to do their jobs more efficiently (though that’s needed, too). The more significant skills gap will be in finding and developing engineers’ skills in AI model training, data handling and knowing how AI works under the hood. This knowledge is crucial for businesses looking to leverage AI for innovation while navigating the complexities of AI ethics and governance.

‍2. Cybersecurity And Data Privacy

In an increasingly digital world, the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy cannot be overstated. The industry is seeing a widening skill gap in this domain, with a growing need for professionals capable of addressing advanced cyber threats and ensuring data privacy. The National Institute of Standards and Technology estimates a current shortage of 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

Specific in-demand security skills include: identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security protocols and adapting to changing privacy regulations. As digital interactions multiply across the globe, these skills become essential in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining user trust.

‍3. Cloud Computing And Edge Technologies

The cloud is becoming the central nervous system of our digital world. Tech and tech-adjacent companies are especially in need of professionals with skills in cloud architecture, infrastructure management, application development in cloud environments, and edge computing (a decentralized IT architecture where data processing occurs near the network’s edge, as close as possible to the data’s origin).

By McKinsey’s latest estimate, there’s fewer than one skilled professional for every 10 job openings in infrastructure management, for example. Cloud technologies, and employees who are highly skilled in them, are key to enhancing operational efficiency and enabling real-time data processing across various sectors.

‍4. Programming In Java

This skill gap may come as a surprise, considering that Java has been among the most widely used programming languages since it was first released in 1995. With more and more developers working in Python and JavaScript, however, fewer have the Java skills needed to build next-generation technologies like low- and no-code platforms, AI pair programmers, infrastructure as code, and automated continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD). McKinsey estimates that there’s fewer than one Java developer for every next-gen software development role requiring Java skills.

Looking ahead to the rest of the year and beyond, the need to bridge these skill gaps is both a necessity and an opportunity for individuals and organizations to lead in a rapidly changing tech landscape. McKinsey’s recent study of tech talent found that “many of the skills in greatest demand have less than half as many qualified practitioners per posting as the global average.”

Developing these emerging and in-demand skills in your workforce will be key to driving innovation and becoming a leader in the tech industry. The time to prepare your team with these skills is not tomorrow—it’s today.

Source: Forbes Contributor - Tigran Sloyan‍