Most Employers Still Prioritize Basic Computer Skills Over AI Expertise

All the headlines surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) may lead many job seekers to think advanced AI skills are at the top of employer demands this year, but a new report from Indeed Hiring Lab shows that when it comes to tech, employers still place significant value on applicants with basic computer skills.  

The analysis found one out of every 10 skills mentioned in U.S. job postings are basic or “elementary” technical skills. In fact, researchers at Indeed reveal that nearly 20% of the job postings analyzed specifically cited basic “computer literacy.”  

These skills are very important for many sectors — particularly in accounting, administrative assistance, logistic support, and human resources, according to the data. Employers’ emphasis on basic technical skills as a prerequisite in job descriptions highlights their foundational role in the global workplace, even as newer, more advanced technologies like AI begin to gain traction around the world. 

AI-related skills currently represent only a small portion of labor market demands. This trend is reflected in job postings across four countries analyzed — the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and France — where elementary computer skills remain prominently listed. 

The study found only about 2-3% of job postings contain AI-related terms. Notably, this percentage has remained relatively stable since 2020. The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) jobs — fueled by the widespread acceptance of generative AI tools like ChatGPT — remains modest, but experts note the job posting trends show a sharp upward trajectory in mentions, which hints at the technology’s anticipate influence in guiding the future of work.