Bridging the AI skills gap

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important in the workplace, driving demand for both specialised AI professionals and workers with a more general understanding of AI. Upskilling and reskilling initiatives are essential to ensure the existing workforce is well-prepared for the changes brought about by AI adoption. However, there is currently limited understanding of whether available training supply is sufficient to meet present and future AI skill needs. This brief explores the government policies and training initiatives related to AI that OECD countries have implemented. It examines how governments are fostering both advanced AI expertise and general AI literacy, and ultimately argues that current training supply may not be sufficient to meet the growing need for general AI literacy skills. The brief also highlights various approaches governments can adopt to expand incentives for AI training and improve its accessibility and inclusivity.