AI skills supply and demand

2025-10-07 · Source: AI Watch | Publications · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resources & Workforce Development, Public Policy & Governance · Depth: Intermediate, quick

Summary

A report by BERTOLETTI Alice, COSGROVE Judith, and LOPEZ COBO Montserrat, published on 2025-10-07, analyzes the alignment between AI-related education and labor market demand in the EU. Utilizing Studyportals data (2024–2025) for master's and short courses and WIH-OJA online job advertisements (2020–2023) for ICT specialist occupations, the study informs the European Commission's Apply AI Strategy. It finds that AI education is heavily focused on Machine Learning and AI ethics, with generative AI being marginal. While most AI programs are in ICT, some exist in Engineering and Business. AI job demand is concentrated in software/applications developers and analysts (62% of AI-related OJAs), with AI/ML Engineering being the most sought-after profile, accounting for almost one-third of explicit AI job advertisements. Overall alignment exists, but limited AI integration in non-ICT academic fields and emerging technologies may create future skills gaps.

Key takeaway

For CTOs and VPs of Engineering assessing future talent pipelines, this report indicates a broad alignment in AI skills but highlights a critical gap in non-ICT fields and emerging AI technologies like generative AI. You should consider investing in cross-disciplinary AI training programs and re-evaluating curriculum development to proactively address potential skill shortages in specialized sectors and advanced AI applications, ensuring your organization remains competitive.

Key insights

EU AI education aligns with job demand, but non-ICT sectors and emerging AI show potential future skill gaps.

Principles

• AI education prioritizes Machine Learning and ethics.
• AI job demand concentrates in software development roles.

Method

The analysis compared AI-related master's and short courses (Studyportals 2024–2025) with online job advertisements for ICT specialists (WIH-OJA 2020–2023) to assess supply-demand alignment.

In practice

• Focus AI training on Machine Learning.
• Prioritize AI/ML Engineering skills.
• Integrate AI into non-ICT curricula.

Topics

• AI Skills Gap
• AI Labor Market Demand
• AI Education Programs
• Machine Learning
• Generative AI

Best for: CTO, VP of Engineering/Data, Executive, Policy Maker, Director of AI/ML, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI Watch | Publications.