How to Recruit and Develop AI Skills in IT Professionals

This IDC Perspective examines how CIOs can rebalance supply of and demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills. Artificial intelligence is arguably the most important topic for CIOs today. It offers a promise of improved business operations, and it has become a CIO and organizational priority. At the same time, CIOs persistently face the challenge of hiring appropriately skilled IT professionals and retaining those with AI skills. "AI is a top CIO priority, driving investment and business outcomes, yet finding skilled AI professionals is challenging. While employees welcome and benefit from AI learning, overreliance on AI can reduce critical thinking, leading to cognitive offloading. CIOs need to hire AI-literate graduates with strong critical thinking skills and establish robust AI governance for all employees," says Dr. Ron Babin, adjunct research advisor for IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP).