What are AI skills?
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a branch of technology focused on automating tasks that would normally require human intelligence. These tasks tend to be repetitive tasks and range from understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, making decisions and learning from experience. AI skills can be technical and non-technical skills that demonstrate proficiency in supporting projects and efforts that desire artificial intelligence.
Related: The future of AI in recruitment
AI skills for technical roles
Depending on the role and your company goals, hiring for key AI skills typically falls into one of five categories:
- Machine learning: Machine learning requires deep technical expertise and is at the core of most AI systems in various industries, such as finance, healthcare and e-commerce. Having someone on your team knowledgeable in machine learning can help automate tasks, forecast outcomes and add machine learning-powered features like image recognition capabilities to products.
- Data science and analytics skills: Analytical tools are essential for understanding and shaping the models that power AI decision-making. A professional with data science and analytical skills can uncover trends, run simulations, create interactive dashboards and profile customer segments based on behaviour.
- Natural language processing (NLP): Expertise in NLP is central to creating systems where humans can interact with AI. A professional with NLP skills can develop chatbots to respond to customer queries, create tools that can accurately transcribe spoken language into text and build models that automatically analyze large legal documents for compliance.
- AI ethics: As AI plays a bigger role in technology, businesses are considering how it affects bias, fairness and transparency, especially in healthcare, finance and law. Consider hiring someone with AI ethics skills to help identify biases in AI models, ensure fairness, avoid discrimination, advise on data collection and provide AI ethics training.
- Big cloud and data computing: These skills are essential for handling and processing large datasets, which is key for training complex AI models and making AI accessible. Hiring a professional with big cloud and data computing skills means having someone on your team who can design scalable cloud architectures, support batch processing and real-time data streams, and build and optimize data pipelines for machine learning workflows.
Related: AI in Recruiting: A Practical Guide for Talent Acquisition Leaders
AI skills for non-technical roles
Many employers search for basic AI skills for non-technical roles, typically in generative AI and prompt engineering. Some of the most commonly desired skills for non-technical roles are:
- Data literacy: These skills are required to understand the fundamentals of data collection, analysis and interpretation.
- Ethical considerations: Possessing skills that develop an understanding of AI ethics, bias and governance issues are fundamental. Stay current with AI legislation, such as the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI), to help address AI safety risks.
- Critical thinking: These skills include analyzing AI-generated outputs and making informed decisions based on them. Spotting mistakes and inefficiencies, analyzing the information you get rather than accepting it at face value and deciding if there are any improvements you can make or questions that need to be asked.
- AI tool proficiency: Being familiar with AI platforms and tools designed for non-technical users, specifically content generators, note-taking apps and image-generating and design tools.
Soft skills are still important
As automation takes on more tasks, employers look to hire people with specific soft skills to complement the repetitive functions of AI tools. Consider these soft skills when searching for your next candidate:
- Emotional intelligence
- Interpersonal skills
- Active learning and willingness to continue learning
- Innovation and creative thinking
- Bias detection
- Analytical judgment and critical thinking
- Flexibility and adaptability
Related: Indeed FutureWorks 2024: AI Can Do a Lot — But It Can’t Do Your Job
How can you screen for AI skills?
To attract candidates with strong AI skills, consider crafting a detailed job description emphasizing specific competencies over traditional industry experience. When reviewing resumes and cover letters, look for resourcefulness, creativity and innovative problem-solving indicators. Consider incorporating pre-screening questions to gauge candidates’ proficiency in crafting AI prompts. Focus on candidates who possess:
- Knowledge of key AI concepts
- AI prompt writing expertise
- Experience with AI tools
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Curiosity and eagerness to experiment and learn
Related: Canadian HR leaders reveal how AI helps in recruitment and hiring
Interview questions to assess AI fluency
During interviews, you can ask specific questions to evaluate a candidate’s AI fluency. Some questions to consider are:
- “How have you integrated AI into your work, and how do you envision it impacting your role?”
- “Which AI tools do you excel at using, and how have they enhanced your project outcomes?”
- “What are the most significant AI trends in our industry?
- “How do you stay informed about the latest generative AI and technological developments?”
- “How do you address ethical concerns when working with AI technologies?”
- “Can you share an effective AI prompt you have used in a recent project?”
Related: What AI Can Do for Your Recruitment — And What It Can’t
Anticipate the growth of AI when hiring
When building your team, adopt a growth mindset toward AI skills. Consider the AI skills you need today and how they will help shape your workforce in the coming years. While AI skills are necessary for marketing, IT and creative roles, anticipate their growing importance in all disciplines. Consider hiring consultants or contractors with advanced AI skills to upskill your existing employees, sharing valuable insights and best practices.
As AI becomes more integrated into our everyday lives, knowledge of AI technology will become more valuable. When hiring for your next position, consider a candidate’s AI skills for both technical and non-technical roles. Balance your hiring strategy and look for diverse AI skills across your organization to create a well-rounded team.
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