Executive summary AI’s promise will only be realized if people have the skills to harness it Generative AI (genAI) and advanced technologies are unlocking new frontiers of growth, but only if people have the skills to harness them. According to Goldman Sachs research,1 genAI could raise global GDP by 7% (nearly $7 trillion) over a 10-year period. Yet that potential will remain unrealized without a workforce that is fluent in AI, data and digital skills to deploy new technologies effectively. Drawing on data from education industry and workforce technology providers, as well as from a review of existing research and in-depth consultations with experts, this report defines the digital skills needed for the new economy; analyses the global supply and demand of these skills; proposes a framework for effectively assessing, developing and credentialling digital skills; and highlights frontier practices from around the world. AI is transforming which digital skills are needed and how they are used AI, data and digital skills are the most exposed to transformation; that is, AI is more likely to change the way these skills are used. In contrast, human- centric skills, are expected to have relatively minimal impact. On average, 68% of digital skills are expected to change in how they’re applied, compared to 35% across more human-centric skills. AI and big data skills are over 30 times more likely to see full or hybrid transformation compared to empathy and active listening. These findings do not necessarily mean displacement. They signal a shift in what competence looks like as workers increasingly oversee and collaborate with AI systems. The market is already rewarding advanced AI and data skills Wages for AI and machine learning (ML) roles have surged 27% since 2019, reaching nearly $190,000 on average by mid-2025, reversing earlier stagnation and highlighting their market value. Median salaries across digital occupations have generally trended upward, but the increase for AI/ ML roles since 2023 is especially pronounced.The digital skills gap is widening faster than systems can respond Only two in 10 business leaders believe education systems effectively develop AI and data skills, while four in 10 say the same for technology literacy. Globally, only about 20% of leaders believe their employees are proficient in AI and big data skills, despite anticipated demand growth through 2030. In the EU specifically, nearly 58% of enterprises recruiting information and communication technology (ICT) specialists in 2023 reported difficulties filling roles. While demand for digital skills learning is soaring (AI and big-data learning now account for one-fifth of all digital learning hours) employer demand is still concentrated in roles such as cybersecurity and network engineering (representing over half of all digital jobs), while roles in AI and ML represent just over 1% of digital employment. Technology literacy is the highest in-demand digital skill, appearing in 34% of all US job postings, while only 2% of job posts ask for AI and big data skills, with most of those posts in technology-intensive sectors like ICT. Acquiring digital skills takes time, but can be accessible Programming is the most demanding digital skill to learn at beginner and intermediate levels, while networks and cybersecurity are often the most time-intensive at advanced levels (around 155 hours). AI and big data offer more accessible entry points (beginners can start with as little as 30 hours), but advanced proficiency requires a significant commitment (up to 137 hours). Not every region or industry is progressing equally The findings in this report reveal significant disparities in how digital transformation is unfolding across sectors. Advanced digital expertise is highly in-demand primarily in technology-intensive industries (IT, digital communications, automotive and aerospace), with limited demand elsewhere (accommodation, food and leisure), a pattern that risks widening digital divides across industries and limiting innovation. Growth and innovation depend not just on technology, but on people’s ability to adapt, learn and harness new digital skills. New Economy Skills: Building AI, Data and Digital Capabilities for Growth 4

New Economy Skills 2025