Upskilling and Reskilling with AI for Professional Development

This is how Artificial Intelligence is transforming talent:

In a constantly evolving world, organizations face the workforce challenge of remaining competitive and relevant. The key to achieving this lies in enhancing the skills of their employees. But how can companies facilitate continuous learning and adaptation to new roles? In this regard, Artificial Intelligence (AI) positions itself as an essential ally for addressing upskilling and reskilling in an efficient and personalized way.

AI is here to stay, and in the field of People Innovation—where mobility, diverse parameters, and constant change prevail—it serves as a fundamental ally to keep companies at the forefront of today’s market.

Why are upskilling and reskilling essential?

As I’ve mentioned, talent management is one of the critical pillars for organizational success. In the age of automation and digital transformation, the required competencies are changing rapidly. However, this shift also brings an evolution in the way we understand talent development. Competencies have given way to skills as the core of the modern approach to human resources.

While competencies are often tied to specific roles and a more static perspective, skills allow for a more dynamic and adaptable view. For example, skills like critical thinking, adaptability, or mastery of technological tools are essential across various work contexts, regardless of the position held.

Upskilling enables employees to refine the skills they already have, while reskilling prepares them to take on new roles. These concepts go beyond traditional training: they aim to align organizational needs with individual employee aspirations, creating a mutually beneficial environment. This not only exponentially enhances effectiveness, but also offers employees a world of possibilities with a clear path for both personal and professional development.

AI in the service of continuous learning

Artificial Intelligence allows us to transform the way organizations manage their talent development. How does it do this?

1. Personalized recommendations: AI analyzes data on employees’ current skills, aspirations, and performance to recommend specific courses, certifications, or projects. For example, an employee with data analysis experience might receive suggestions to learn advanced tools like Python or Power BI.
2. Meaningful projects: Through smart algorithms, projects can be assigned that not only challenge employees but also align their strengths with the organization’s priorities. This fosters professional growth and engagement.
3. AI-facilitated mentoring: AI platforms connect employees with mentors or reference professionals, either inside or outside the organization, based on their goals and areas for improvement.

From competencies to skills: a necessary shift

The shift toward a skills-based approach responds to the need for greater flexibility in talent management. Whereas before the aim was for employees to fit into predefined roles, now the focus is on developing transferable skills that allow people to adapt to various tasks and challenges.

For instance, digital skills such as data management or UX design are not only valuable in specific areas but can also be applied in multiple contexts. This allows employees to explore broader career paths, while organizations gain agility and resilience.

Tangible benefits for employees and organizations

The AI-driven focus on upskilling and reskilling brings clear benefits:

For employees:

• Control over their professional development with personalized and accessible learning options.
• Opportunities to apply skills in challenging projects, expanding their network and experience.
• Greater engagement and job satisfaction from feeling valued and supported by the organization.

For organizations:

• Better workforce planning by identifying skill gaps and anticipating future needs.
• Optimization of internal talent, reducing time and costs associated with external hiring.
• Promotion of a learning and innovation culture essential to remain agile in the face of market changes.

Is your organization ready to implement AI in talent development?

Implementing Artificial Intelligence in talent development is much more than a technological issue; it is a strategic decision that deeply impacts organizational culture. It requires a willingness to transform internal learning and growth.

First, we must identify our needs: What skills will be critical to our competitiveness in the next five years? With that clear vision, we can select AI tools that offer advanced solutions while being easy to use and scalable. In addition, integration with our current systems must be smooth to avoid friction in adoption.

However, technology alone is not enough. We need to create an environment where continuous learning is part of our organization's DNA. This means involving leaders at all levels, clearly communicating the benefits of upskilling and reskilling, and demonstrating how these investments positively impact employees’ careers and business outcomes.

The future of work is not only about adapting—it’s about anticipating.

Harnessing AI to empower our employees will position us as leaders in our sector and make us visible as a place where people want to work, grow, and bring out the best in themselves. The resilience and preparedness of our teams will be the engine that drives our ability to face any challenge tomorrow may bring.

In a world where change is the only constant, is your organization investing enough in developing its talent? How can you use Artificial Intelligence to transform your employees' learning experience?

At Baker Tilly’s People Innovation division, we offer a wide range of solutions supported by Cornerstone OnDemand technology, adapting new market trends to the specific needs of each organization. If you’d like to learn more or explore how to implement it in your company, we’d be happy to show you in detail all the possibilities available.