As we head into a new year, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a hot topic—and it’s easy to understand why. AI is now a part of everyday life, impacting our workplaces and the job market, particularly when it comes to tech workers who are still trying to bounce back from the widespread layoffs of the last couple years.

Here are some trends for both employers and employees to keep on their radar:

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to impact employee headcount.

With more companies continuing to explore and, in many cases, embrace AI, we’ll see its ongoing impact on hiring and layoffs. As of October, tech layoffs had exceeded 240,000 so far in 2023—more than 50 percent higher than in all of 2022. Some tech companies have even disclosed the connection between workforce reductions and their investments in AI. However, there’s still a lot of learning to be done when it comes to striking a balance between automation and human skills.

Related: Tech Talent is Flooding the Job Market: What Does This Mean?

2. New jobs will be created to support investments in AI.

Despite the negative impacts that many workers have felt as a result of AI, we should also keep in mind that the rise in demand for AI-driven technologies will require workers to develop new, specialized skills, paving the way for roles that didn’t previously exist.

After laying off more than 20,000 employees in the first half of 2023, Meta announced in October that it would spend more money on hiring in 2024, including hiring more engineers to build up its computing resources.

Some of the roles that companies will need to manage their AI initiatives include:

• AI engineer or developer
• Machine learning engineer
• Data scientist
• Natural language processing engineer
• AI ethicist
• AI researcher
• Machine learning operations engineer
• Automation engineer
• AI consultant
• AI recruiter

Related: Engineering & Technology Salary Guide

Related from Aleron Group Partner Acara Solutions: The Tech Talent War of 2023

3. Tech workers need to flex their adaptability.

Although tech workers have long had the upper hand when it comes to finding employment, landing a job has become more difficult because of the widespread layoffs we’ve seen in recent years.

The job market for these professionals is changing—and the introduction of AI is making the talent landscape even more dynamic. Now is the time for tech workers to show they’re willing to adapt and learn new skills that will help them stay competitive in this quickly changing environment.

And it’s not just tech employees that need to adjust. All workers stand to gain from developing their AI skills, educating themselves on the ethics around it, and learning how new tools and technologies can help them do their jobs more efficiently.

4. Tech companies aren’t the only ones that should be strategizing around AI.

Similarly, while some may think of AI as an issue that only the tech giants need to be tackling, the reality is that it’s something that companies in every industry need to seriously consider. After all, AI is now accessible to anyone with a phone or computer through ChatGPT, AI image generators, chatbots, facial recognition software, and more.

It may not make sense for your organization to hire AI-specific roles, but your leadership should still think about how AI relates to the work you do, the pros and cons, and any policies or procedures that need to be considered to regulate the use of AI in the workplace.

5. Employers have an opportunity to be at the forefront of something transformative.

For tech leaders in the business realm, the imperative is clear: adopt a proactive stance around AI rather than a reactive one. You’re not simply overseeing technology—you’re actively shaping the future of work in a world increasingly influenced by it. Whether you’re investing in AI curation teams to guide machine learning initiative, or addressing the repercussions of shortsighted downsizing, strategic foresight coupled with ethical considerations can transform challenges into opportunities.

Related: RPO Sourcing Excellence Delivers Top Tech Talent

The blog was written by Brandin Austin.