The latest Business Trends Index by Fiverr has uncovered a significant increase in the need for AI skills. Due to the ongoing scarcity of skilled workers, many businesses are struggling to recruit and hold onto technology professionals, and AI proficiency is highly sought-after.
Fiverr has observed a significant surge in demand for ‘Accounting and Finance services, with an increase of 835 percent over the last six months. This indicates a clear necessity for AI and machine learning tools that can assist businesses in simplifying their financial procedures and enhancing their overall efficiency.
The report pointed out an emerging trend of implementing AI in creative industries, where the UK saw a remarkable surge of 6,223% in searches related to AI art in the last six months. This indicates that businesses are progressively exploring AI technologies to develop fresh and inventive products in the creative field.
According to Bukki Adedapo, who is the Country Manager for Fiverr in the UK;
“The services that are trending on the Fiverr platform are indicative of society’s rapidly increasing awareness and adoption of AI on a wider scale, following the launch of a number of generative AI tools to varied success.
What may be a little more surprising is the suggestion that UK businesses are actually being founded more now during a time of global economic turbulence than before. Having said this, often recessions and times of dramatic global shifts present new opportunities for businesses to prosper.
In the last 6 months, businesses and freelancers have certainly been tested, but we’re delighted that Fiverr is helping them to overcome the odds.”
Despite the adverse economic effects of the pandemic, a considerable number of businesses are being established in the UK. According to Fiverr’s statistics, “Business Naming” services experienced a notable increase of 51%, while “Website Development” services have seen a surge of 92% in the last six months. These figures indicate that UK businesses are still confident about their ability to succeed during the ongoing economic crisis.
In general, the most recent Business Trends Index indicates that businesses and independent workers are adjusting to the difficulties arising from the pandemic, and a large number of them are turning to technology as a means of dealing with the constantly evolving situation. The surge in the need for AI services underscores the increasing acknowledgement of the advantages that these technologies can provide, such as streamlining tedious chores and enhancing decision-making procedures.
Alexia Pedersen, who serves as the Vice President of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) division at O’Reilly, provided her thoughts on the matter;
“As the demand for jobs increases, so will the need for digital skills in order to meet the growing demand. However, our research shows that demand for digitally skilled workers in the UK is outgrowing the level of digital skills available.
To minimise the growing skills gap, organisations must invest in creating a highly skilled workforce to meet the growing availability of staff. At the same time, employees should prioritise L&D to make themselves an invaluable asset to their company – proactively identifying training opportunities with a quality L&D partner, particularly one that aligns with their unique learning style and objectives.
While there is no cookie-cutter approach to upskilling, individuals should be granted access to a range of learning opportunities as part of a defined path of individual development and wider organisational culture of personal development.”
In this constantly changing world, companies that efficiently adopt new technologies such as AI are more likely to have a competitive edge and succeed in the future.
