IMF finds AI skills demand twice as high in exposed jobs on October 12

The IMF's analysis identifies three core AI skill categories employers seek: general AI literacy, specialized capabilities like prompt engineering, and the ability to integrate AI with an organization's internal knowledge. This suggests that the value of AI in the workplace extends beyond basic understanding to advanced application and strategic integration, particularly for leveraging existing company data.

While some occupations, such as programming, have seen a decline in hiring demand, about 10% relative to less-exposed jobs during 2024–2025, this reflects a shift in required skills rather than a wholesale dismissal of existing employees. Employers still seek programmers, but with an emphasis on those who can use AI to enhance their output, indicating a change in job expectations.

The research highlights that AI's evolution from handling seconds-long tasks to undertaking assignments comparable to a full day's work, such as creating machine-learning models, has prompted employers to re-evaluate staffing needs. However, the demand for AI skills in more-exposed occupations has not continued to fall sharply, suggesting an adaptation rather than a continuous decline in hiring for these roles.