As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, understanding its impact on hiring practices is increasingly important. ChatGPT is now being widely used by companies across various sectors, and its relevance in the job market has surged significantly.
Earlier this month, Intelligent.com surveyed 800 business leaders to understand how important they feel it is for young professionals to have ChatGPT experience and college students to invest in learning how to use the tool.
What we found:
- Half of business leaders say ChatGPT experience can be more valuable than a college degree
- 80% believe ChatGPT experience is valuable for entry-level positions
- 6 in 10 companies require ChatGPT experience for at least some entry-level positions
- Half of companies are providing ChatGPT training
- 8 in 10 say ChatGPT experience will be even more important in 2025
Half of Business Leaders Say ChatGPT Experience Can Be More Valuable Than College
According to our survey findings, nearly half (49%) of business leaders say that, in certain cases, possessing experience with ChatGPT can offer more value than holding a college degree. Conversely, 36% of respondents disagree with this notion, while 12% remain unsure.
Moreover, when considering candidates for entry-level positions where ChatGPT could potentially be utilized, 80% of business leaders say that having experience with ChatGPT is either very valuable (37%) or valuable (43%).
Additionally, an overwhelming 83% of business leaders believe that having experience with ChatGPT significantly enhances the resume of recent college graduates, with 49% indicating it boosts their resumes a lot and 35% suggesting it provides a moderate boost.
“Over the past 18 months, ChatGPT and other generative AI tools and applications have dominated headlines and sparked endless debates about the future of AI in the workplace,” says Intelligent.com’s Chief Education and Career Development Advisor Huy Nguyen. “The blazing pace of innovation and technological progress is reshaping what employers value in job candidates today.”
“While a college education provides a strong theoretical foundation of knowledge, the ability to learn and adapt new tools like generative AI, large language models, and automation in real-world scenarios has become increasingly vital across many industries. This is especially true for entry-level positions, where the ability to leverage AI for problem-solving, increased productivity, and innovation can set candidates apart. The demand for such specific skills is a growing trend in employment sectors that prioritize real world experience and technological fluency that can have an immediate impact on a business.”
9 in 10 say ChatGPT coursework makes a candidate more hireable
In scenarios where ChatGPT could be effectively utilized, a large majority of business leaders (88%), affirm that it greatly benefits (45%) or somewhat benefits (43%) a candidate’s hireability to have taken coursework in ChatGPT.
Furthermore, 77% of business leaders deem it very important (41%) or somewhat important (36%) for college students to take ChatGPT-related coursework. Similarly, 84% of business leaders emphasize the importance of workers engaging in self-learning of ChatGPT, with 40% indicating it as very important and 44% as somewhat important.
“While formal ChatGPT courses can build theoretical knowledge, the ability to self-learn and consistently discover new skills is even more crucial in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. There is a wealth of information and free resources online through developer communities, thought leaders, and discussion forums to gain knowledge and insight. However, you shouldn’t just read or watch videos about ChatGPT. Use the tool as much as possible to build familiarity. Dedicate hands-on experience, whether through practicing iterative prompting exercises or adapting learnings to improve productivity in your current work or personal life,” says Nguyen.
“The ability to self-learn new technologies and demonstrate competency and shows hiring managers that you have the desire and entrepreneurial growth mindset to set yourself apart from other candidates. Being adaptable and accountable for your own success will futureproof you for the jobs of tomorrow that may not exist today.”
Darryl Stevens, founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency, discusses how from his perspective ChatGPT experience is becoming a key asset for young professionals.
“From my perspective as a digital marketing agency owner, ChatGPT experience is becoming a valuable asset for entry-level candidates, particularly in roles tied to digital innovation, content creation, and customer interaction,” says Stevens.
“The ability to effectively utilize AI tools like ChatGPT not only demonstrates a candidate’s tech-savviness but also their readiness to adapt to and embrace new technologies that are shaping our industry.
“In fields where technology and AI are at the forefront, developing skills with platforms like ChatGPT is an investment in future employability. It’s a clear indicator of a candidate’s ability to navigate the digital landscape, which is invaluable from an employer’s standpoint in our rapidly evolving digital world.”
Companies are investing in ChatGPT training
Half of the surveyed business leaders say their company is actively engaged in training their employees to use ChatGPT, with 21% providing extensive training, and 28% offering some training. Conversely, 17% say the company provides minimal training, and 33% no training at all.
6 in 10 Companies Require ChatGPT Experience for Entry-Level Positions
Of business leaders at companies currently hiring for entry-level positions, 7% say the company requires ChatGPT experience for all positions, while 24% say it does for many, 19% for some, and 13% for only a few positions. Conversely, 34% of companies don’t require ChatGPT experience for any entry-level positions, and 3% of business leaders are uncertain if their company has any requirements in this area.
The vast majority of these positions (76%) are within the IT sector, with 48% falling under marketing, and 35% within HR.
The primary reasons cited by business leaders for requiring ChatGPT experience for entry-level positions include enhancing worker productivity (78%), increasing worker knowledge (74%), and fostering creativity (68%).
Similarly, 73% of companies report having open entry-level positions where it would be advantageous but not required for candidates to possess ChatGPT experience.
These positions primarily exist within IT (41%), operations (36%), and marketing and communications (34%).
8 in 10 Business Leaders Say ChatGPT Credentials Will Be More Important in 2025
Overall, 79% of business leaders say in 2025 it will be a lot more important (29%) or slightly more important (50%) than it is today for entry-level candidates to have ChatGPT experience.
“As the founder and chairman of an e-commerce business, I can attest to the increasing value of ChatGPT skills for entry-level position candidates,” says CEO and Founder Dan Dillon.
“As we continue into a progressively digital age, I foresee the importance of the ChatGPT experience not decreasing, but rather evolving. The ability to use such tools effectively will likely become an expected skill rather than a differentiating factor. This doesn’t mean it will lose its value, but will rather become an essential part of the skill set required for many jobs in the ecommerce and wider business sector.”
Methodology
All data found within this report derives from a survey commissioned by Intelligent.com. The survey launched on April 4, 2024 via survey platform Pollfish. In total 800 U.S. senior managers, directors and executives were surveyed.
Demographic criteria were used to ensure qualified respondents. This criteria included age (25+), household income (>$50,000), organizational role (C-Level executive, HR manager, director, president, owner/partner, and senior management), company size (>10), and education (Technical College, college, or postgraduate).
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