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How AI is Impacting Our Skills and Employment Landscape Cornwall is experiencing significant growth in its artificial intelligence (AI) sector, leading to increased demand for skilled professionals and a variety of career opportunities.
TECgirls AI Article Women in AI: Shaping the Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a tech trend, it’s shaping the future of every industry, from healthcare and engineering to policing and manufacturing. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it’s crucial that women understand how it works and where it’s used. No matter what you’re studying—arts, business, science—AI is relevant. The demand for AI literacy is growing, with employers valuing awareness and skills. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index 2024, “66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills. 71% say they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them. And junior candidates may have a new edge: 77% of leaders say, with AI, early-in-career talent will be given greater responsibilities.”
Career Opportunities and Skills Demand
The region’s tech sector is projected to expand by 17.9% by 2026, making it the fastest-growing in the South West. This growth is fuelling a rising demand for AI and machine learning expertise. Notably, 38% of organisations in Cornwall’s space sector report a shortage of AI and machine learning skills, highlighting a critical need for qualified professionals.
Why is it important that more women and minority genders move into AI?
Apprenticeships and Training Programmes
Well, most AI systems today are researched and trained by men, leading to built-in biases. This lack of diversity can result in AI that doesn’t fairly represent or serve everyone. By understanding how AI is developed and applied, women and underrepresented genders can challenge these biases and advocate for fairer, more inclusive technologies. Opportunities in AI are vast: careers in research, policy, healthcare, design, and more all benefit from a solid understanding of AI. And it’s easier than ever to explore. You don’t need to be brilliant at computing to be good at AI, because a lot of the learning comes from playing and experimenting. If you want to have a go, try Google’s Teachable Machine, where you can learn by doing to see how AI works. No coding required!
To address the skills gap, initiatives like the £2 million Digital Futures Cornwall programme have been launched. Led by Truro and Penwith College, this programme collaborates with ten other organisations to provide training and create pathways into digital and tech careers for local residents. Truro and Penwith College have also demonstrated excellence in apprenticeship training, achieving a success rate of 62.7%, significantly above the national average of 54.3%. In the 2022/2023 academic year, 945 apprentices were supported, underscoring the college’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce. The demand for AI professionals is reflected in competitive salaries. AI developers can command salaries up to £120,000, with apprenticeships offering pathways to substantial earnings. For instance, some apprentices have the potential to earn up to £100,000 over the course of their degree programmes, highlighting the financial viability of pursuing careers in AI. Salaries and Career Growth
Digital Sector Statistics
• Business Presence: Cornwall is home to 681 tech companies, collectively employing over 1,380 individuals in well-compensated roles.
• Employment Landscape: Approximately 6.2% of Cornwall’s businesses are in the digital and creative sectors, employing around 14,300 people.
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This article was created with the assistance of AI.
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