The fastest-growing skills in 2025 are AI-focused—prompt engineering and applied generative AI—offering salary boosts and opportunities for Filipino workers.
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Rachel Wells, in an article for Forbes, highlights how AI skills are set to dominate hiring trends and salary increases in 2025. Drawing from research by Coursera, an online learning platform that offers courses, degrees, and other credentials from universities and companies, aside from industry surveys, Wells reports that acquiring expertise in prompt engineering and applied generative AI could lead to salary increases of up to 47%, as employers race to adopt AI-driven solutions.
The rise of AI skills in the workplace
Coursera’s data shows that job postings mentioning generative AI skills increased by 400% in 2024. At the same time, nearly 50% of professionals acknowledge the importance of AI upskilling. Wells notes that the popularity of AI is evident in the success of Google’s AI Essentials course, which topped Coursera’s charts as the most enrolled program of the year.
Based on trends from 2023 and 2024, Coursera predicts that the two fastest-growing skills in 2025 will be:
Prompt engineering – McKinsey & Company defines this as designing inputs for AI tools to generate optimal outputs.
Applied generative AI – The ability to apply generative AI tools effectively within specific work contexts.
AI expertise drives salaries higher
Wells emphasizes that acquiring these AI-related skills can dramatically impact salaries. Research from Indeed, one of the top job sites in the world, found that professionals with generative AI expertise earn an average of $174,727 per year. This translates to a 47% salary increase, meaning someone earning $80,000 could see their income jump to $117,600 by adding AI skills to their resume.
Why AI skills are in high demand
A report from AWS, released in December 2023, sheds light on the growing demand for AI talent. The survey of 3,297 employees and 1,340 organizations across industries in the U.S. revealed:
92% of organizations plan to implement AI-based solutions by 2028.
Hiring decisions are already being shaped by AI adoption.
Departments expected to benefit most from AI integration include IT (92%), sales and marketing (85%), and human resources (78%).
Employers see AI as a tool to automate tasks, improve workflows, and boost employee skills.
However, the research also highlights an AI skills gap—three out of four employers struggle to find candidates with AI expertise. This shortage is pushing companies to prioritize AI skills over years of experience, as noted in Microsoft’s Work Trend Index 2024.
The impact of AI trends on Filipino workers
In her article, Wells also highlights the broader implications of AI upskilling, which resonates strongly in countries like the Philippines, where industries such as business process outsourcing (BPO), finance, marketing, and IT services are key economic drivers.
A report from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) highlights that AI adoption could improve efficiency and productivity but may also require workers to reskill and upskill to remain competitive. With the BPO industry being one of the nation’s largest economic sectors, companies are increasingly investing in AI tools to enhance customer service, automate tasks, and streamline operations.
For Filipino professionals, gaining expertise in prompt engineering and applied generative AI could provide a competitive edge in the global job market. Research also suggests that AI-skilled workers in the Philippines could command higher salaries, particularly in industries like tech support, e-commerce, and digital marketing, where AI integration is growing rapidly.
Upskilling opportunities for Filipinos
Filipino workers can take advantage of affordable online courses offered by platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Google AI Essentials, many of which are accessible through TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) partnerships or government-backed training programs. These courses could help bridge the AI skills gap and prepare local professionals for high-demand roles in both domestic and international markets.
Embracing AI for growth
As more businesses in the Philippines adopt AI technologies, the demand for skilled workers is expected to rise sharply. Filipino workers who invest in AI upskilling now can position themselves not just to safeguard their jobs but to thrive in a future where AI expertise becomes an essential qualification.
Upskilling for the future
Wells stresses that learning AI skills—especially prompt engineering and applied generative AI—is crucial for career growth in 2025. She suggests taking advantage of free or affordable AI courses available online and encourages professionals to seek employer support for AI training as part of performance plans.
With AI becoming central to workplace innovation, upskilling in these areas could lead to higher salaries, promotions, and better job opportunities.
