Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are emerging, rapidly growing fields, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation and impact. As industries like healthcare, finance, transportation and entertainment increasingly rely on AI-driven solutions, professionals in this field are in high demand, commanding competitive salaries and diverse career paths, from data science to AI engineering. The ability to create intelligent systems that solve complex problems, enhance efficiency and drive technological breakthroughs makes this an exciting and rewarding career choice.
Arkansas State University (A-State) offers a Bachelor of Science in Digital Technology & Design with a Concentration in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning online program. Those who are serious about pursuing a career in artificial intelligence will find that this program prepares graduates to devise innovative solutions to business challenges, allowing the possibility of a broad range of professional roles.
AI Has the Potential to Transform the Labor Market
Research on the labor market has shown that demand for AI skills in online job postings grew between 2010 and 2024. In 2024, nearly 628,000 job postings required at least one AI skill, an increase of 1.2% from 2010. Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree are more likely to involve AI skills than those requiring an associate degree or high school diploma.
A national survey on the adoption of generative AI found that nearly 27% of working-age adults in the U.S. had used generative AI like ChatGPT, suggesting that more workers are using AI in their jobs. Job postings show that demand for AI skills is highest in Computer and Mathematical occupations within the following fields: Architecture and Engineering, Business and Financial Operations, Management, and Life, Physical, and Social Sciences.
Demand for AI Skills in Design and Make Jobs Is Growing
A recently published report from Autodesk showed a 56.1% surge in mentions of AI in U.S. job listings for design and make roles in the first six months of 2025. These industries include architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media and entertainment.
A new class of roles is emerging that blends technical fluency with creativity, communication and applied insight. In other words, human skills aren’t being replaced, as they are needed to work in tandem. The most in-demand skills in AI are design, communication, collaboration and leadership.
AI fluency is becoming a baseline expectation across all types of industries, not just technical or specialized roles. In addition to AI engineer roles, the fastest-growing AI jobs are content creator, solutions architect, prompt engineer, systems designer, product manager, coach, compliance manager, machine learning engineer and strategist.
What to Expect in AI Jobs in the Future
McKinsey published a report modeling the future of work that finds that demand for workers in STEM-related, healthcare and other high-skill professions in the U.S. will rise, and that up to 30% of hours worked could be automated or accelerated by GenAI. They predict that, “Amid tightening labor markets and a slowdown in productivity growth, Europe and the United States face shifts in labor demand, spurred not only by AI and automation but also by other trends, including efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, an aging population, infrastructure spending, technology investments, and growth in e-commerce, among others.”
As companies understand the potential of these new technologies, they need to plan for the shift towards readiness for the AI and automation era. This will involve identifying, attracting and recruiting the right talent and paying attention to the critical element of human capital.
The Tech Talent Shortage
The rapid advancement of AI and new technologies like GenAI is shifting the types of roles and skills that employers are seeking. IBM reported on research from Reuters showing an expected AI talent gap of 50%, meaning AI positions are not being filled. As companies have lagged in training or upskilling employees, it has slowed their ability to implement AI.
The skills shortage in AI can be bridged with training existing employees, strategic hiring of new AI-skilled employees and investment in continuous learning. But more AI is not always better. Companies need to evaluate how they have been using it to see what is working and what isn’t and build a roadmap for how to use AI going forward.
What Will You Learn With a Degree in AI from A-State?
If your goal is to position yourself to take advantage of career opportunities in AI and machine learning, earning a bachelor’s degree in digital technology is the path forward. Arkansas State University offers its B.S. in Digital Technology & Design in a fully online format that concentrates on AI and machine learning.
In their program, you will learn future trends in machine learning and their impact on society and analyze AI use cases and complete both high-level and low-level design. The curriculum features architecture and machine learning as well as Python programming concepts. You’ll develop AI and machine learning solutions and various methods of deployment that will make you a highly sought-after professional.
Learn more about A-State’s online Bachelor of Science in Digital Technology & Design with a Concentration in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning program.