In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict In 2025, learning the right AI skills has become essential, but not everyone has the same chance to keep up. Women are more likely to be in jobs at risk of disruption, and many still lack access to clear AI study pathways.
Using new LinkedIn and PwC data, this guide breaks down how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping work, who’s most affected, and which skills matter most right now.
Key Takeaways
- Women without the right AI skills are more likely to be in jobs that could be replaced or changed.
- Men with AI skills are more often in roles where technology helps them work better and faster.
- Many people still don’t have access to clear or practical AI learning, especially outside of tech jobs.
- The most useful AI skills now include Python, data literacy, prompt writing, teamwork, and ethical thinking.
- Workers need simple ways to learn new skills and understand how these skills link to better job options.
How AI Learning Affects Different Workers
In 2025, AI learning has become more important across many industries, and more companies are now offering skills training to help people keep up with the changes.
LinkedIn data shows that AI skills are playing a growing role in how careers develop, and the platform categorizes job roles into three types based on how they are affected by AI: augmented, disrupted, and insulated.
- Augmented roles are jobs where AI can support and improve daily tasks. In these roles, technology helps people work more efficiently, giving them more time to focus on other parts of their job.
- Disrupted roles are at risk. These jobs mostly involve tasks that AI can take over, which puts some workers in a more vulnerable position.
- Insulated roles are less affected by AI. These tend to rely on personal connection, care, or physical presence – things that are harder for machines to copy.
Not everyone is affected in the same way. According to the LinkedIn data, women are more likely to be in disrupted roles than men, especially if they don’t have AI engineering skills.
At the same time, men are more likely to be in jobs where AI tools are being used to support their work.
This divide has a lot to do with skills and who has access to them.
The State of AI Skills in 2025
LinkedIn’s latest data shows just how much a person’s skill set can shape their job outlook. It also highlights the clear differences between workers who have AI-related skills and those who don’t.
People with AI engineering skills are more likely to work in roles that are supported by AI. These are jobs where AI tools help people do their work faster or better.
- Around 65.4% of men with these skills are in these kinds of roles described as “augmented” by LinkedIn.
- For women with the same skills, the number is lower, at 57.2%.
People without AI engineering skills, especially women, are more likely to be in jobs that could be replaced or changed by AI.
- 38.4% of women in this group are in what LinkedIn calls “disrupted” roles.
- For men without these skills, that number is 31.1%.
But having the right skills is only part of the story. Mindset also plays a role. According to PwC’s research in the Global Gender Gap Report:
- Only 54% of women expect their job to change in the next few years.
- That’s compared to 61% of men.
- Fewer women also say they understand how these changes will affect their role.
To close this gap, AI upskilling programs must be practical and inclusive, particularly for women, who are currently at a greater risk of being left behind.
Building Better AI Learning Pathways for All
As workplaces keep changing, people need easier ways to build new skills. But at the moment, access to AI learning depends a lot on your job, your background, or the industry you’re in. This makes it harder for many people to take the next step.
The Gender Parity in the Intelligent Age report points out that most AI training is still aimed at tech workers, while people in other roles, especially women, don’t always see a clear path forward. That gap affects both fairness and long-term progress.
There’s a need to create more ways for people to learn about AI that feel practical and easy to use:
- Basic digital skills and beginner-level tools should be part of everyday training, not something extra.
- Support from managers and co-workers helps learners stay motivated and feel less alone.
- Clear goals and updated job descriptions can guide people on which steps to take next.
Many workers also say they’re unsure about which skills to learn or how these skills link to better job options. This lack of clarity can hold people back, even when the tools are available.
The report also stresses the importance of including women in shaping company strategies. When leadership is more balanced, these issues are easier to spot and fix.
Essential Skills to Learn for the AI Economy
As AI becomes more common in the workplace, the kinds of skills people need are starting to shift; employers are looking for people who can use technology in smart, thoughtful ways.
These are some of the most useful skills to learn right now:
For anyone looking to learn about AI, this mix of skills offers a solid starting point and a better chance of standing out.
The Bottom Line
Having strong AI skills is becoming increasingly important for anyone who wants to advance in their career, with individuals who take the time to learn AI and understand how to apply it in everyday tasks being more likely to move forward.
With the right mix of digital and soft skills, workers can feel more prepared and take better advantage of new job opportunities.
FAQs
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References
- Gender Parity in the Intelligent Age (Reports.WeForum)
- PwC 2024 Gender Pay Gap Report (PwC)
- World Economic Forum (WeForum)
