With the breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, cloud computing and 5G in recent years, the demand for technology-related jobs has soared, to the extent that there’s now a talent gap when it comes to covering certain digital jobs. Due to the cross-cutting nature of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the need for companies to go digital, all sectors require technically qualified job profiles.
Thus, as these technologies are being adopted en masse, the number of IT-related jobs has multiplied, but companies are finding it difficult to find these new and highly-specialised professionals. According to DigitalES, the Spanish Association for Digitisation, 120,000 technological job vacancies need to be filled in Spain. This underlines the importance of training the new generations in particular to enable them to acquire digital skills and address this shortage, which exists not only in our country, but also worldwide.
Although task automation and smart robotics are destroying jobs in some sectors, they can create, in turn, new technology-related professions and, in the process, numerous additional job opportunities. In its latest report titled The Future of Jobs, the World Economic Forum estimates that 85 million jobs will disappear by 2025 due to the proliferation of new technologies, while 97 million new jobs will be created.
The most in-demand new digital jobs
In the same report, the World Economic Forum lists the jobs in the greatest demand, and all but one of them are new occupations created by technology:
1- Data analysts and scientists
Both professional profiles work with data, but each of them in a different way. The analyst collects information, organises it and generates infographics and visualisations and examines them to identify trends and patterns to help companies make strategic decisions. The scientist programmes and develops data analysis tools and techniques for the analysts.
2- Specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning
Professionals engaged in these IT-related jobs develop models and programme computer systems to perform smart actions and thus simulate human thinking. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that helps a computer system to make faster and more accurate data-driven decisions.
3- Big Data specialists
The Big Data field drives jobs related to technology and data, including engineers, developers, architects, consultants and analysts. These profiles manage large volumes of data that are stored in digital systems for processing and analysis.
4- Specialists in digital marketing and strategy
The purpose of this new profession created by technology is no different from that of conventional marketing (increasing brand awareness, promoting the company’s products or services, etc.), with the sole difference that it’s transferred to the internet and digital technologies. They design, execute and manage online marketing campaigns across multiple channels.
5- Process automation specialists
As an IT-related job, this profile develops programmes to optimise and simplify processes by automating them, thus improving the company’s productivity, reducing costs and streamlining operations, among other benefits. The combination of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) technologies and artificial intelligence and machine learning has evolved into what’s known as hyper-automation.
6- Business development professionals
It’s the only profile on the list that isn’t linked to jobs directly related to technology, but its tasks include analysing data to forecast future trends in a predictive analytics strategy.
7- Digital transformation specialists
The new technologies at work for the digital transformation require professionals who know how to manage this process and provide advice to managers on commercial, technological and cultural issues. Their work ranges from identifying areas in which digitisation can improve business performance to building a strategy.
8- Information security analysts
Cybersecurity is one of the technology-related professions that’s most sought-after by companies. As we become more connected, more and more specialists are needed in this challenging field. Due to threats such as cybercrime and the need to ensure data protection, IT security is becoming increasingly important for all companies and organisations. The mission of an information security analyst is to protect networks and technological infrastructures from cyberthreats by staying ahead of their attackers.
9- Software and application developers
Other technology-related jobs on the rise include those that design, develop, implement, test and update customised software for companies and salespeople that is sold to end consumers for websites, devices and operating systems. Demand is growing steadily as it spans almost all industries.
10- Specialists in the Internet of Things
A multitude of objects are now connected, from washing machines to light bulbs and traffic lights. Specialists in the IoT comprise one of the new technology-related professions with the best future: with the convergence of 5G and IoT technology, the number of 5G IoT connections will increase from 17 million today to 116 million by 2026 worldwide, according to the data provided by Juniper Research, driven primarily by the healthcare sector and smart cities.
These are just some of the technology-related jobs that didn’t exist before. According to the Institute for the Future (IFTF), 85% of the jobs that will be filled in 2030 have yet to be created. Among the tech professions in the future job market, some predict positions such as artificial intelligence educational programmers, robotics rights advocates and data privacy and ethics controllers. Who knows which others will be created. There isn’t long to wait to found out if the forecasts are fulfilled.
