In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Alex Swartsel, leader of JFFLabs Insights Practice at Jobs for the Future, to explore the growing AI skills gap and its implications for the future of work. Alex shares eye-opening research showing how AI usage in the workplace skyrocketed from 8% to 35% in just one year, while revealing a concerning disparity: 60% of employees are using AI for self-directed learning, yet only 16% have access to employer-provided AI tools.
Our conversation dives into what makes a “quality job” in today’s economy and JFF’s ambitious mission to see 75 million Americans facing barriers to economic advancement working in quality jobs by 2033. Alex unpacks how AI is transforming both educational settings and workplaces, challenging traditional notions of digital literacy and reshaping the skills landscape.
You’ll discover why the most valuable future skills may not be AI-specific technical abilities, but rather the “human skills” that AI can’t replicate—creativity, critical thinking, communication, and adaptability. Alex also explores how different educational institutions are navigating AI adoption and the policies that could help support fair access
Whether you’re an HR professional, educator, or worker navigating this rapidly evolving landscape, this episode offers critical insights on how we can ensure AI becomes a technology that makes everyone better off, rather than deepening existing divides.
Links:
JFF: The AI Ready Workforce Research
