The growing use of AI in the oil and gas sector and the consequent impact on the demand for skills are highlighted by Airswift’s newly-released Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) energy workforce trends report
24% of oil and gas professionals use AI, with a further 10% expecting to adopt it within six months, according to Airswift’s report. It finds that nearly half (47%) of professionals feel very optimistic about the future impact of AI, with many anticipating an improvement in their personal productivity (71%), improved career progression opportunities (58%) and increased job satisfaction (58%).
The top three uses of AI are reported to be automated workflow and workplace collaboration tools; safety and inspection improvements; and remote monitoring and automation.
Demand for skills
Nearly all respondents to the GETI 2024 report say AI will increase demand for skills, with 62% of oil and gas professionals expecting AI to increase pressure on them to acquire new skills. Technical skills such as programming, software engineering, IT, data science and cybersecurity are where professionals expect to see the greatest demand in the oil and gas sector. IT, programming, software engineering, robotics and cyber security are areas the industry may need to proactively develop to shore up skills. The report also found the need for soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking is expected to increase.
Janette Marx, CEO of Airswift, said, "The oil and gas sector is at a critical juncture with AI emerging as a key tool to support decarbonisation efforts. Our report underscores the need for a delicate balance between technological advancement and nurturing the skills of our workforce. As we see a modest stabilisation in salaries and a high willingness for global mobility, the area to watch now is how companies embrace AI. We need to proactively enhance the capabilities of our people to make the most of an ever-evolving energy landscape. Boosting employee buy-in will involve harnessing automation to free up time for other priorities and upskilling workers in AI-related fields.”
The full report is available for download at http://www.getireport.com
