AI and data science are set to disrupt every job. They are reaching every nook in business and there’s been a post-recession paradigm shift from evangelistic early adoption to a world of mainstream future skills needs and demands. Now, businesses are scouring the market for professionals with more advanced competencies and hands-on experience and struggling to find what they need.
India’s tech talent is ahead of the game here. Research has shown that 85% of Indian professionals believe that upskilling is required to future-proof their careers - whereas only 76% are thinking this globally. And they are turning to edtech to build the job-ready skills they need to shine out in the global market.
But is this just about big tech? Are we only talking about giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook? The answer is no. These companies are betting on AI and expecting their employees to work differently. However, they are also trailblazing the way forward for all companies. The writing is on the wall for everyone.
Consider today’s healthcare worker. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are giving these professionals access to a wealth of information that helps them do their job better. But, in turn, this sector, and just about all others, have a challenge ahead. For not only do these workers need to be able to use this information, but they now need to know how to use AI to solve other work-related problems too.
As powerful generative algorithms like ChatGPT help skilled professionals increase their rate of output, it’s clear the tech talent pool is widening. These algorithms are not only speeding things up for coders, but they’re helping other professionals such as content creators too. Skilled software developers and writers are not being replaced, they are becoming more productive. They are working and innovating faster, and that’s making employers smile.
The good news is that the students and young professionals of today are the digital natives of our world. They intuitively know how to work an app without training and are confident about keeping up with the fast pace of change. Their challenge now, though, is that a give-it-a-go attitude isn’t enough. To stand out to employers, they need to be able to prove they have employable skills and hands-on experience. And this is where edtech steps in.
Robert Half’s 2023 salary guide reports that 88% of tech employers say it’s challenging to find skilled technology professionals. And applicants who have online courses displayed on their resumes are ahead of the crowd evidencing their tech skills and enthusiasm. These upskilling courses are achieving results much faster than traditional degree training.
But is this enough? No, edtech needs to go further… and it is. Today’s students want a learning experience tailored to their needs and preferences. McKinsey’s Next in Personalization 2021 Report highlights that 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions. This is not surprising when you consider the ubiquitous on-demand entertainment experience provided by companies like Netflix. So now, learners are expecting the same of edtech.
To speed up deep skilling at scale, therefore, future-focused learning platforms are looking to harness AI and machine learning to power continual learning. This will soon include adaptive learning, where the progression of the course content will vary depending on the pace of the learner’s uptake in understanding.
Additionally, generative learning powered by content created by algorithms akin to ChatGPT will also soon be working for hand in glove with explainable AI (XAI). Not only will edtech curriculums be adapting to teach people how to use AI in their jobs, but they’ll be constantly adjusting on the fly to keep up with the demands of the industry. Such advancements will take personalized, continual learning to new heights. And people will be building more advanced skills, at scale… very quickly.
So, not only are progressive edtech providers continuing to give learners job-ready skills they can use straight away, but they are gearing up to do this faster at scale. Edtech is moving from evangelizing about future tech for early adopters, to productively skilling the early majority. And in doing so, it is not only redefining India’s tech talent pool, it is turning India’s IT professionals and healthcare workers of today into the tech stars of tomorrow.
About The Author
Mr Kohli is a transformational learning influencer with over 25 years of industry-leading experience primarily in cloud-based learning systems. His journey has extended across company employment, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurial success. And he has run multiple business functions in a multinational corporate environment and rapidly scaled a start-up. He is chairman and founder of the SkillUp group of companies, which includes Skill-Up Technologies and SkillUp Online. SkillUp Online is a ‘Smart’ learning platform that goes beyond certifications training to drive lifelong success in the technology-driven ecosystem.
Mr. Kohli is an EdTech visionary whose passion for improving opportunities and careers is driving deeper learning at scale. He has significant expertise in the fields of cloud learning systems, training, and enablement services, and content development for blended learning solutions. Having completed his education at the National Institute of Technology, he has dedicated his career to working with leading players in the learning and software services industries. Early positions of note include Team Lead & Group Manager, Compunnel; Chief Technology Officer, ZONES India; Vice President, Technology Solutions; and President – Professional Services, MZI. As the CTO for ZONES India, he launched India’s then-largest website for IT products.
However, with this grounding, Mr. Kohli then moved into the role of Director of Online Training at Microsoft. During his time at Microsoft, he shaped Microsoft’s MOOC strategy to launch online courses on the edX.org platform. He led the product strategy and launch of Microsoft official courses on-demand – MOC On-Demand. Plus, he led a worldwide technical content development team for Microsoft Learning. He is now a recognized leader in blended learning strategies for technical and IT fields.
In the last five years, he has led Skill-Up Technologies and developed the company into an industry powerhouse in the educational/consulting space. His current quest is to equip today’s young minds and working professionals with the skills they need to thrive in the accelerating technological revolution. SkillUp Online came into being in 2019, and its focus is specifically on the rapidly expanding fields of AI, big data, data science, blockchain, cybersecurity, and more. Through a human-centered approach to learning, which includes personalized mentoring and support, the courses at SkillUp Online are meeting the needs of individuals, enterprises, higher education institutions, government initiatives, and technical learning partners.
In his free time, Mr. Kohli volunteers as a member of the Industry Advisory Boards at Bellevue College’s Tombolo Institute and NIIT University, providing transformational leadership in educational technology.
