Study on Artificial Intelligence Needs in the Israeli Job Market and the Implications for Education

Over the past year, artificial intelligence has been rapidly transforming every aspect of life, reshaping the job market in the process. Traditional jobs are disappearing, new roles are emerging, and the skills required by employees are evolving at an unprecedented pace. In Israel, the “Startup Nation,” these changes are particularly evident, especially in the high-tech industry where constant innovation is key. Advanced technologies are being adopted, and the demand for AI professionals is increasing.

The education system is struggling to keep up with this reality. There has always been a gap between the need to prepare the younger generation for an uncertain future and the ability of educational institutions to anticipate changes. However, given the extraordinary speed and scope of the current revolution, we must rethink what today’s students need to learn in order to be well-prepared for tomorrow’s world – specifically, how we can ensure that Israel’s top-performing students maintain the country’s competitive edge.

There is no doubt that learning five-unit mathematics and studying in a high-tech matriculation track are essential prerequisites for excellence. However, it seems that soon these prerequisites will no longer be sufficient. Many graduates of elite academic tracks will go on to careers in research and development, both in high-tech and science, and in the world of today, they will need a deep familiarity with artificial intelligence as an essential part of their professional toolkit.

To better understand the knowledge and skills required in this field, we turned to RISE Israel, asking them to analyze the demand for AI-related jobs in Israel and define the necessary qualifications for future professionals. RISE was founded in 2022 by Prof. Eugene Kandel, former chair of Israel’s National Economic Council and founding CEO of SNC (Start-Up Nation Central). The research institute specializes in analyzing Israel’s high-tech industry and studying the economic and social trends driven by the AI revolution.

The study will focus on qualitative research including in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs and recruitment managers, analysis of relevant articles and reports, and an examination of job postings on LinkedIn from companies and professional profiles of AI employees. Based on these sources, it will address the following questions: What are the key AI roles? How many are employed in each today and what are the current needs and gaps? What education and experience are typically required for each job? What knowledge, skills, and personal traits are essential?

The research will span six months, culminating in a detailed report that will be widely disseminated to the education and high-tech communities. Additionally, a dedicated conference will be held, bringing together approximately 200 participants from high-tech, government, academia, and education to present the findings and engage in a discussion on the necessary steps going forward.

* The text above shows the grant as approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors / Grant 604