According to O’Reilly’s recent technology trends report, AI skills are set to drive the most profound changes in learning and development (L&D) in the coming year. The analysis, based on 2024 data from O’Reilly’s tech-focused learning platform, shows surges in areas such as prompt engineering (up 465%), AI principles (up 386%), and generative AI (up 289%).
Interestingly, interest in ChatGPT-related content declined by 13%, reflecting a shift among developers towards acquiring foundational AI knowledge that enables them to navigate various generative AI tools, such as Google Gemini and Claude, rather than focusing on a single platform. This broad-based approach equips professionals to be more adaptable in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
“This year marks a pivotal transition in technology, with AI evolving from generative capabilities to a transformative force reshaping how developers approach their craft,” said Mike Loukides, vice president of emerging technology content at O’Reilly.
Another key area of growth highlighted in the report is security, which saw a 44% increase in interest in governance, risk, and compliance. There was also a 17% rise in content related to securing specific applications, underlining the increasing importance of cybersecurity in today’s tech environment.
Regarding other technical skills, data engineering saw a 29% rise, indicating the critical role of data infrastructure in supporting AI advancements. However, traditional programming languages faced declines, with Python usage dropping by 5.3% and Java by 13%.
The report also noted that interest in cloud computing appears to have levelled off, with a general decline across major cloud providers’ certifications, except for Google Cloud certifications, which saw a modest 2.2% growth.