📱 AI and Digital Skills #7
HolonIQ is tracking reskilling and upskilling efforts to meet the rising demand for AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity skills. As these fields evolve, continuous learning is key to staying competitive and building a future-ready workforce.
This week, Vietnam's IT hiring declined by 2%, while job seekers rose by 18%, creating a talent gap in tech, logistics, and business development. Deloitte launched Zora AI, an autonomous platform enhancing efficiency in finance, HR, and customer service. Oman’s Ministry of Labour plans to create 45,000 jobs in 2025, focusing on government and private sector roles with a training and wage support initiative. Maybank and TikTok Shop launched a program to upskill ASEAN SMEs, while Accenture and CBD introduced the UAE’s first enterprise-wide data literacy initiative, and Omantel partnered for AI skilling.
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AI and Digital Labor Market Trends
📱 IT hiring in Vietnam declined by 2% in early 2025, while job seekers increased by 18%. Despite this, software roles remain high-paying, and companies urgently need skilled talent. The labor market faces imbalances, with tech, logistics, and business development shortages. AI is reshaping recruitment, though adoption is low among job seekers. Employers seek AI, data, and digital skills, along with language proficiency. Professionals must adapt to technology trends for career growth.
⚙️ Deloitte launches Zora AI, an agentic AI platform. It is designed to autonomously handle business functions like finance, HR, supply chain, and customer service. Built on NVIDIA AI, it enhances workforce efficiency and decision-making. HPE uses Zora AI for financial analysis, while Deloitte has cut expenses by 25% and boosted productivity by 40% with it. Available via cloud subscription, Zora AI integrates seamlessly with existing systems, offering rapid deployment and customization for businesses.
💻 Oman’s Ministry of Labour aims to create 45,000 jobs in 2025. This includes 10,000 government roles, 24,000 private sector openings, and 11,000 training slots. The Minister emphasized employment-linked training and wage support, benefiting SMEs, startups, and freelancers. In 2024, Oman exceeded its target, securing 36,615 jobs. The "Individual Excellence" system, introduced in 67 government entities, enhances efficiency through 45 performance tools, focusing on speed, leadership, and employee satisfaction.
AI Skill Penetration Among Men Is More Than Twice That of Women
⚛ The share of LinkedIn members with AI engineering skills has steadily increased from 2016 to 2023 for both genders, reflecting the growing demand for AI expertise. According to the World Economic Forum, AI and machine learning roles are among the fastest-growing jobs globally, with a projected annual growth rate of 37% by 2025.
🌍 Males consistently have a higher AI skills penetration than females, despite both showing growth. A 2023 UNESCO report highlighted that women make up only 22% of AI professionals worldwide, reinforcing the persistent gender disparity in the AI field.
🦾 The AI skills penetration rate has increased more rapidly after 2021, particularly for males. This aligns with global AI investments, which surged by $91.9B in 2022, according to Stanford University’s AI Index Report, fueling greater AI adoption and skill development across industries.
Upskilling/Reskilling Intiatives
🌐 Maybank and TikTok Shop Malaysia launched the ASEAN SME Upskilling and Digitalisation Programme. This will help SMEs integrate digital commerce. The initiative begins in Malaysia with a webinar, workshop, and six-month accelerator plan, focusing first on women entrepreneurs under Maybank’s HERpower initiative. Women-led SMEs, currently 20% of all SMEs, aim to reach 25% by 2026. The program provides funding, mentorship, and social media exposure, enabling SMEs to scale beyond local markets.
📶 Accenture and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) launched the ‘CBD AI and Data for the Future’ program. It is the UAE’s first enterprise-wide data literacy initiative in banking. Employees will gain certifications in Data and AI, enhancing digital skills to meet evolving customer needs. Udacity, part of Accenture, provides hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and industry insights. This initiative supports CBD’s strategic transformation, leveraging AI and analytics to enhance customer experience and operational resilience in the digital banking era.
💡 Omantel and TeKnowledge launched an AI skilling program for employees. The initiative combines onsite and virtual training, equipping staff with AI-driven skills across technology, operations, and commercial divisions. Omantel aims to enhance customer experiences and position Oman as a digital economy leader. As a Microsoft partner, TeKnowledge brings large-scale AI skilling expertise, supporting Omantel’s goal of driving sustainable innovation and technological advancement.
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