By Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO, Coursera
I’m excited to share Coursera’s fourth annual Job Skills Report, which highlights the critical skills that individuals and institutions are prioritizing for 2025. Drawing from insights across five million enterprise learners and over 7,000 institutional customers, this report provides a data-driven analysis of the trends shaping the future of learning and work.
With proliferation and advancements in foundational models, generative AI (GenAI) will continue to reshape jobs and industries at an unprecedented rate. With the potential to unlock $15.7 trillion in global economic value by 2030, these gains will depend on our ability to help people develop skills to use AI effectively and make the most of its potential.
The Job Skills Report 2025 identifies the fastest-growing skills in AI, business, data science, and tech, with a spotlight on high-demand areas like GenAI and cybersecurity. Key findings include:
- The global workforce is embracing GenAI at a rapid pace, with course enrollments surging by 866% year-over-year.
GenAI is now the fastest-growing skill among our enterprise learners—including employees, students, and job seekers. Notably, more than half (54%) of GenAI course enrollments come from learners in India, Colombia, and Mexico, signaling a shift in the globalization of AI talent and their availability in emerging markets. Foundational courses such as Google Cloud’s Introduction to Generative AI and Google’s AI Essentials, and courses that teach practical AI skills such as Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT from Vanderbilt University and IBM’s Generative AI: Introduction and Applications are driving the highest enrolment rates among enterprise learners. In 2025, we expect the global race toward AI literacy will further accelerate.
- AI skills like computer vision, PyTorch, and machine learning (ML) doubled in enrollments year-over-year
With AI and ML Specialist roles expected to grow by 40% over the next four years, learners are rapidly upskilling and reskilling themselves through courses like IBM’s Deep Neural Networks and PyTorch and the University of Buffalo’s Computer Vision Basics. However, while more women are learning on Coursera overall (up 3% year over year), only 28% of Coursera’s GenAI course enrollments are from women. Encouraging women to pursue AI skills through educational initiatives and workplace policies will be crucial to narrowing the gender gap and ensuring AI benefits everyone.
- Data ethics skills are a growing priority for employees.
Data ethics is among the fastest-growing skills on Coursera, driven by the need for employees to responsibly manage and analyze customer data. Despite its importance, there’s a notable gap in interest among students and job seekers. This is a major curricula improvement opportunity for campuses since 60% of data leaders identify data governance as a primary concern. A Deloitte survey found that 78% of organizations prioritize “safe and secure” AI use as a top ethical principle – a 37% increase from last year. As demand for data roles increases, learners who upskill in data ethics and governance will position themselves more competitively for future employment.
- Risk management and cybersecurity skills surge into the fastest-growing skills list amid a 71% year-over-year rise in cyberattacks.
With 93% of organizations experiencing two or more identity-related breaches in the past year, demand for risk management and cybersecurity skills is rising. Six of the top ten fastest-growing tech skills this year are cybersecurity-related, including computer security, threat management & modeling, and network planning and design. Given the global shortage of nearly five million cybersecurity professionals, acquiring these skills will position learners as invaluable assets in a high-demand job market.
- Human skills like assertiveness and communication are three of the top 10 fastest-growing skills overall, but Gen Z is more focused on green skills.
Human skills are essential, as 84% of managers believe new employees must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate in a professional manner and articulate their ideas. Gen Z lags behind employees and job seekers here, with 71% of Gen Z workers finding it difficult to speak up and contribute in meetings. Instead, younger student learners are prioritizing green skills like waste management and business continuity planning, with over half of Gen Z expressing concern about the effects of climate change. Though ESG skills are in high demand, our findings indicate that Gen Z workers must also focus on core human skills, to align their skill sets more closely with employer needs.
Technology, especially GenAI, is accelerating change, and the rate of learning must keep pace. This report serves as a guide to better understand the skills needed to thrive in 2025 and beyond so everyone can learn, adapt, and succeed.
Download the 2025 Job Skills Report here.
Interested in turning these insights into a skills development plan for your institution? Book a meeting with a Coursera team member today.
