How can we better measure the demand for AI and other skills on the labour market?

Abstract

"A large body of research literature shows that technological change has a significant impact on labour markets, as modern digital technologies are changing the demand for certain skills. On the one hand, new technologies can replace some human activities. On the other hand, they can create or complement new activities (Acemoglu et al., 2015; Acemoglu & Restrepo, 2018, 2019, 2020). With the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years, certain questions are becoming increasingly important in public debate and research: Is the demand for AI skills also growing on the German labour market? Does the increasing demand for AI skills mean that other skills - among low, medium and highly qualified workers - are less in demand? The aim of this research project is to create a reliable data basis in order to be able to answer such questions in a more informed way in the future. Developments in generative AI, particularly tools such as ChatGPT, have significantly intensified the discussion about the impact of AI on the labour market, both in academia and in public debate and policy. While computers and software have transformed the world of work by performing routine tasks more precisely and efficiently, modern AI systems can now take on complex, non-routine tasks without relying on detailed instructions or repetitive rules (Brynjolfsson et al., 2025). As a result, many are optimistic about the productive potential of this new technology. Others, however, fear that AI could disrupt labour markets. In the course of the intensive scientific and public debate on AI, there is a growing body of literature that deals with the effects of AI on labour markets. These initially focus on specific occupations such as call centre workers (Brynjolfsson et al., 2025, Dijksman et al., 2024), consultants (Dell’ et al., 2023), writers or developers (Peng et al., 2023). However, a major challenge is to measure how the demand for and supply of skills has changed in the wake of the emergence of AI." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Cite article

Janssen, S., Langer, C., Nagler, M., Rounding, N., Stops, M. & Wiederhold, S. (2025): How can we better measure the demand for AI and other skills on the labour market? (ROA external reports / Researchcentrum voor Onderwijs en Arbeidsmarkt (Maastricht) 10 ai:conomics policybrief), Maastricht, 5 p.