What Gets You Hired Now Will Not Get You Hired Then

Since its inception, humanity has depended on the skills of individuals and groups. Over millennia, humanity and skills evolved, differentiating those who would prosper from those who did not. From gatherers to hunters, from agriculture to industry, and from IT to AI, the complexity and rate of change have increased exponentially, driven by language, curiosity, and communication. IT skills and a variety of IT professions have dominated the past 25 years. At this juncture, advances in AI have altered the technology landscape, causing tectonic shifts in many professions. How will IT professions evolve, and how should IT professionals adapt? We contend that, first, required skill sets will rapidly change, increasing the importance of continuing education. Second, with the increased adoption of AI, the importance of data will also increase, demanding an ever-growing need for data science skills. Finally, many IT activities will be automated, requiring IT professionals to collaborate with AI assistants and take more strategic roles.