Mapping Human-AI Collaboration: A Skill Framework for the Effective Use of AI

The world is changing due to technological breakthroughs, and industry expectations are also shifting in response to these developments. To excel as a skilled professional in the realm of Information Technology (IT), one must readily embrace and adapt to the continuous advancements in the industry. Given the recent improvement in Artificial Intelligence (AI), it was expected that professionals would use these advanced technologies to fulfill the demands of their professional roles in the evolving environment. The study was conducted during the development of AI technologies, and it assessed the AI utilization in the IT industry via a case study. The study focused on assessing the industry's potential and analyzing the evolving dynamics of the job market. This enables AI to function as a collaborator rather than a substitute for human labor. This has been achieved by analyzing various aspects of human-AI collaboration and assessing the role of humans in their work responsibilities while utilizing AI. The researcher utilized a multimethod research approach. A job description analysis was carried out based on the job advertisements placed on well-known online job portals like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the job posts were considered to understand industry perspectives on AI's impact on skill requirements. In addition, a qualitative questionnaire was conducted within the selected case study. The data was analyzed using content analysis, and thematic analysis. The study revealed the active and complex relationship between AI technologies and the evolving AI related skills requirement in the IT industry. The proposed skill framework provided a road map for professionals and IT organizations seeking to successfully integrate AI into their employment. Adopting these AI related skills is essential for promoting innovation, overcoming challenges, and sustaining competitiveness in a swiftly changing technological environment.