Chile's growth rate could increase by 1 percentage point due to artificial intelligence, for every 3 growth points by 2035. Therefore, advancing in human capital formation strategies is key to projecting future development.
Being a data science engineer today is more valuable than being a traditional engineer. That is the conclusion of a market study carried out by LinkedIn, and published by Forbes in 2020, which reveals that this discipline is surpassing traditional engineering within the best qualified jobs. According to the report, the field of robotics has become a job industry "in its own right," and the data backs it up: It is estimated that more than 50% of engineering positions today are in robotics engineering and the hiring of robotics. specialists in artificial intelligence has grown by 74% in the last four years.
At the same time that the demand for new professionals grows, so does the offer of jobs: 15% of the companies consulted by LinkedIn say that they use AI in their work and they expect that figure to double next year: “Since the 2000, the number of new AI companies has grown up to multiplying by 14, ”says Forbes.
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by the year 2028, it is expected that jobs in computing and information sciences – including AI experts – will grow to 37,000, which implies the creation of 5,300 jobs, compared to 31,700, recorded in 2018. That is, an increase of 16% in ten years, which far exceeds the average growth rate expected for all jobs, of 5%.
"Artificial intelligence is becoming such an integral part of culture that while only a third of consumers say they use it, data shows that figure is closer to 77%," says the article on the Computer Science website. Degree Hub.
Some of the top rated jobs in artificial intelligence are Machine Learning Engineer, Software Developer, Robotics Scientist, Business Intelligence Developer to mention a few. “High salaries are a big draw for AI positions, as is job satisfaction,” the outlet says. According to the kdnuggets website, Machine Learning engineers have the highest job satisfaction rates, followed by Data and Business Intelligence scientists.
A field that grows in Chile
At the end of 2021, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation presented the First National Artificial Intelligence Policy, with the aim of setting specific objectives in terms of training and development in the next ten years. This brings together 70 priority actions and 185 initiatives with an impact, among other things, on the training of talents , contemplating a public investment of $26 billion.
In this particular area, it will seek to "adapt and enhance certification or qualification instruments for skills related to AI" and promote training courses in this technology, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labor, Economy and CORFO. The action plan also contemplates the targeting of Chilean PhD Scholarships abroad, for programs related to AI; R&D collaboration initiatives between universities and the productive sector and the generation of incentives and public-private agreements for the insertion of professionals with a doctorate degree in technology companies.
However, a significant human capital gap is recognized at all levels, in industries related to digital transformation. As a reference, it states that the Digital Talent program diagnosed a gap of approximately 65,000 professionals per year in digital technologies. Other studies have identified gaps between the skills provided by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the skills demanded by the industry, particularly for Industry 4.0.
"The country's future economic growth depends on AI, to the point that Chile's growth rate could be increased by this technology by 1 percentage point, for every 3 growth points by 2035," says the document presented in 2021. Training is key to developing the potential that this technology offers in the future.