It’s official: generative AI is now the fastest growing job skill.
Over the past couple years, there has been an 866% year-on-year surge in demand for learning artificial intelligence skills, Coursera’s latest Job Skills Report 2025 revealed. Coursera analysts concluded this after studying enrollment patterns for their enterprise learners over the past year (employed professionals, students, and job-seekers) which showed a 1,100%, 500%, and 1,600% spike in demand for AI courses respectively.
Why Learn High-Paying AI Skills In 2025?
But what is behind this AI gold rush? Why are AI courses so popular?
- About three in four employers are using GenAI, and 62% state that they expect their workforce to at least have some level of familiarity with it, the same report showed.
- Similarly, an estimated 22% of recruiters say they have updated their job descriptions to align with AI expectations for the role–this figure is certainly set to increase by the end of the year.
- Mirroring the findings of the Job Skills report, a survey conducted by AWS last year confirmed that 92% of businesses plan to use AI-powered solutions by 2028, with the number of employers expecting that GenAI will become a commonplace tool across their workforce.
- AWS also noted that “73% of surveyed employers consider hiring talent with AI skills and experience a priority. But, nearly three in four (75%) of them say that they can’t find the talent they need.”
- Last but not least, Indeed’s data points to the fact that GenAI skills are proven to boost your salary by as much as 47%. The gains are most evident in “sales and marketing (43% higher salary); finance (42%); business operations (41%); legal, regulatory, and compliance (37%); and human resources (35%),” says AWS.
“There’s an immediate need for professionals to pursue these skills to improve their job readiness,” the Coursera report added. IBM’s vice president Justina Nixon-Saintil echoed the urgency for developing AI readiness, when she said in a recent interview at IBM’s London headquarters (edited for clarity), “AI will impact nearly every job role, necessitating upskilling across all industries, including management and leadership positions. Therefore, understanding AI fluency is essential for all employees and students, regardless of their role, age, or background.”
10 Fastest Growing AI Skills To Learn In 2025
It certainly is a good sign to see that AI course enrolments are increasing. But for you personally as a professional, you might be wondering what AI skills you should prioritize learning this year, or what skills pay the most so that you can deepen your understanding of GenAI. While of course, completing a foundational, beginner-level GenAI certificate is great, but what else do you need to learn so that you increase your expertise and add extra value to your role and employer?
From Coursera’s analysis of more than 1,000 skills across five million learners worldwide, these are the top 10 AI skills you need to learn this year, along with their definitions:
- GenAI–use AI to generate text, images, and more.
- Artificial neural networks–build computer systems that learn like human brains do.
- Computer vision–teach computers to “see” and understand images.
- PyTorch (machine learning library)–use this tool to build powerful AI applications.
- Machine learning–teach computers to learn from data.
- Applied machine learning–use machine learning to solve real problems.
- Deep learning–build advanced AI systems for complex tasks.
- Supervised learning–train AI using labeled examples.
- Reinforcement learning–train AI through trial and error.
- Machine learning operations (MLOps)–manage and deploy machine learning systems effectively.
How To Learn These AI Skills
Ongoing professional development comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people find it easier to attend bootcamps or even obtain a degree and be surrounded by a community of other AI enthusiasts. For most others, online learning through courses and certificates is more beneficial and easier to access on the go, while being more affordable. You can fit your learning around your work schedule and lifestyle, by studying the AI skills listed above from platforms such as:
- IBM SkillsBuild (this is 100% free)
- Coursera (some courses are free, and many professional certificates can be accessed for up to a 100% discount when you apply for financial aid)
- Codeacademy (courses are relatively inexpensive through their subscription model, and you can learn AI, Python, PyTorch, and machine learning)
Remember, your value in the job market is determined by two things: your skill set, and how committed you are to continuously update your skill set. Not all of the AI skills listed above will be relevant to you and your role or career goals, but it’s always good to learn what you can because you may never know when it will be needed. Developing an in-demand skill, especially in GenAI and its application, can prove pivotal to your career growth and opening up more opportunities, particularly if you are the only one in your team with such advanced knowledge. This can open the potential for promotions, pay raises, and career pivots that you never dreamed would be possible.
So go ahead, stop making excuses. Find a course that teaches these skills and commit to developing yourself each week.