AI and the Future of Workforce Training

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) as a general-purpose technology is expected to transform work across various industries and job roles, affecting up to 80 percent of U.S. workers with at least 10 percent of their work activities impacted by large language models [2][25] - AI's impact is anticipated to be pervasive across all occupational categories, including knowledge workers, with significant implications for workforce development and training [15][17] - Continuous retraining and upskilling will be essential as technical skills become outdated in less than five years on average, necessitating a well-rounded workforce capable of adapting to technological changes [3][5] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - AI is poised to transform work across various industries, affecting a significant portion of the workforce [2] - The transformation depends on AI's ability to perform or enhance core tasks and whether it substitutes or complements human workers [3] The Potential Impact of AI in the Workforce - AI is a general-purpose technology that can disrupt a wide range of skills and occupations, with significant implications for workforce development [22] - Occupations with high exposure to AI but low complementarity face the greatest risk of disruption, highlighting the need for retraining [34] The Impact of AI on Skills and Occupations - Technical skills account for about 27 percent of in-demand skills, while foundational, social, and thinking skills make up nearly 58 percent [4][38] - The demand for social skills has grown significantly, indicating a shift in the skills required in the labor market [43] Conversations with Subject Matter Experts - Community colleges are crucial in workforce development, providing accessible and affordable training programs tailored to local needs [48][50] - Work-based learning and alternative educational pathways, such as apprenticeships and career technical education (CTE), are seen as effective methods for retraining and upskilling [51][54] The Role of AI in Workforce Training and Development - AI tools can personalize workforce training by automating knowledge tracing and generating tailored content [72][80] - The speed of AI allows for just-in-time learning, accommodating busy schedules and enhancing training effectiveness [81][82] Conclusion - AI's broad impact necessitates comprehensive workforce development strategies, emphasizing the role of community colleges and the importance of digital skills education [106][107] - Addressing inequalities in access to AI tools and ensuring ethical implementation are critical for maximizing the benefits of AI in workforce training [107][108]