AI Skills vs. Traditional Demand: Workers Race Ahead, Employers Lag Behind

• A study by Udemy and Indeed reveals a significant gap between workers' AI upskilling efforts and employers' current hiring demands for traditional skills.
• Only 4% of job listings mention AI, yet 67.5% of employee upskilling focuses on AI-related skills, with tech professionals dedicating 95% of their learning to AI.
• In India, employers in manufacturing and professional services prioritize core capabilities and soft skills like communication, while learners heavily focus on Generative AI and AI agents.
• The report highlights that while AI is a top-growing skill, employers still seek traditional skills, and workers combining AI fluency with adaptive and soft skills will thrive.
• Employer demand for AI skills is shifting fastest in Australia and the US tech sectors, with AI mentions in job postings rising significantly.

Why It Matters: Workers are rapidly acquiring AI skills, but employers still prioritize traditional and soft skills, creating a hiring disconnect.