Singaporean workers are the fastest in the world to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) skills, according to the latest Future of Work report by LinkedIn. As of June 2023, Singapore was the country with the highest ‘diffusion rate’ over time – where Singaporeans had added AI skills to their profiles more than any of the 25 countries in the report.

Since January 2016, the country’s diffusion rate has grown a total of 20 times – eight times higher than the global average.

“We’re seeing an increased focus on AI at work on our platform in a variety of ways, including in the job listings hirers are posting, the skills our members are adding to their profiles, and in the everyday conversations people are having with each other,” the report said.

The platform has seen an average of 75% increase each month in members adding terms such as GAI, ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering, and Prompt Crafting, to their profiles.

Finland was second in the list of countries with most AI skills, followed by Ireland, India, and Canada.

Increased focus on AI with ChatGPT

According to the report, the rise of AI talent and the adding of AI skills to profiles have been accelerating since 2016. Then, only three out of every 1,000 members added AI as a talent. In 2022, the number had increased to 17 in 1,000.

The report also said that ChatGPT led to a huge rise in interest and conversation around AI. “Not only are job postings increasing, but we’re seeing more LinkedIn members around the globe adding AI skills to their profiles than ever before. We’ve seen a 21x increase in the share of global English-language job postings that mention new AI technologies such as GPT or ChatGPT since November 2022.”

Since the start of this year, the platform has seen an average 75% increase each month in members adding terms such as GAI (Generative AI), ChatGPT, Prompt Engineering, and Prompt Crafting, to their profiles.

Another notable finding was that the adoption of AI skills extends beyond tech industries, and has started being more common in financial services, retail, education, and many other types of work.  

“To realize the full promise of AI productivity gains depends on the diffusion of skills across geographies, industries, and talent. AI adoption and optimization of its use will of course take time, but at this early stage it appears that the pace of diffusion is getting underway’” said Karin Kimbrough, Chief Economist, LinkedIn.