Artificial Intelligence more desirable as a skill in the Houston-area – Houston Public Media

Having knowledge about how to use artificial intelligence as a skill is becoming more desirable in the Houston area, according to the latest Work Trend Index report from Microsoft and LinkedIn.

More workers are writing AI skills on resumes and applying them to their jobs. According to the report, about 73% of knowledge workers in Houston say they use AI at work. That’s a little above the national average of 71%.

Robert Schapiro is the Microsoft Senior Director of Energy and Resources locally. He said AI can be used in many ways.

“In day-to-day roles, people use AI to do less administrative work, like sifting through emails, and now they have more time to use their creativity and technical skills,” he said.

AI can range from editing software like Grammarly to server robots at hotels and restaurants. Schapiro added that on a national level, there’s been a dramatic increase in LinkedIn users adding skills like ChatGPT and Copilot to their profiles.

At least one local university has been working on various projects and studies to implement AI in different industries. A study from the University of Houston last year found AI could change the way people book reservations. And earlier this year, TxDOT provided a $500,000 grant to the university to look into how highway bridge inspections can be improved with AI.

“A lot of what we do in Houston involves industrial operations with workers in the field who are assessing and fixing equipment,” Schapiro said. “Now, they can use AI that has been trained on their own maintenance manuals and employees can chat with an AI assistant to diagnose and solve issues without having to call back to headquarters.”

Schapiro said around half of Houston-area leaders are still worried their organization’s leadership does not have a plan and vision to implement AI. In addition, regulation both in the U.S. and internationally is still lacking across various industries.

Earlier this year, the European Union approved the first comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation. And last year, some actors’ and writers’ strikes stemmed from concerns about how AI is used in creative industries.

Still, Schapiro said a little over two-thirds of Houston-area leaders believe their company needs to implement AI.

“Organizations that empower employees with AI tools and training will attract and retain the best talent. And professionals who skill up will have the edge,” Schapiro said.

The full report and Houston-area findings can be found online.