AI skills gaining increased importance in the labour market: a look at Randstad's 'Age of Augmentation' study

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the job market as we know it. Randstad’s “The Age of Augmentation” study, based on an analysis of more than 35 million job postings worldwide, shows that AI skills have a direct impact on both career development and demand for skilled workers. In Germany alone, approximately 2.4 million job postings were analysed - a huge sample the study dives into to draw observations on the evolving nature of AI uptake in the world of work. 

The results make it clear that employees with proven AI skills in various professional fields are remunerated better than comparable professionals without such knowledge. For example, the average annual starting salary for software engineers with AI skills is around 60,000 EUR, while while entry-level professionals without AI experience earn an average of about 50,000 EUR.  Similar differences are evident in other professional fields as well: financial analysts earn an average of around 64,000 euros instead of 51,500 euros, and customer service employees earn around 37,000 euros instead of 30,000 euros.

AI skills are fast becoming a competitive advantage

The study describes the transition into a new era of the working world, referred to as the “Age of Augmentation.” According to the study, professional success and career development are increasingly shaped by proficiency in AI as well as by strong human skills such as creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. AI not only replaces individual tasks but also expands professional activities and changes the demands placed on skilled workers and companies.

According to the Randstad report, the introduction of new technologies alone is not enough. Rather, it is crucial to provide employees with ongoing training and promote the development of relevant skills within organisations in order to foster all-round AI literacy in the workplace. 

Skilled labour shortage slows AI expansion 

At the same time, the study shows that companies in Germany continue to experience difficulties in filling open positions in the AI sector. This is particularly evident in specialised roles: the average time to fill a position is 69 days. Companies looking to recruit machine-learning engineers in Germany also face the same challenges - taking longer to hire prospective candidates compared to other countries surveyed. 

According to the study, unfilled positions can delay the implementation of AI projects and lead to productivity losses. Against this backdrop, Randstad highlights the importance of internal, on-the-job training. Building AI skills within the existing workforce could help counteract the skills shortage and support companies in introducing AI-powered applications.

About the study

The study is based on job postings from January 1, 2021, through March 31, 2026, and includes analyses for eleven countries, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. 

Access the survey and report via this link.