AI literacy is becoming an essential requirement across many professions

What job postings already reveal

LinkedIn’s 2026 High-Demand Skills report lists AI literacy among the fastest-growing competencies in fields such as sales, education, human resources, and finance. In March 2026, a survey found that 10.3% of internship positions already mentioned AI skills as a requirement. Research by Adapta showed that 53.8% of Brazilian professionals are seeking practical training that can be immediately applied in their daily work.

A DataCamp survey of 500 executives found that 72% of business leaders consider AI literacy important for day-to-day operations, while 59% identified a skills gap within their teams.

What is expected at each level

Job descriptions categorize requirements into three levels.

Basic level: use with discretion

This level is designed for those who apply AI in routine tasks, with a focus on creating clear instructions (prompts) and reviewing generated responses, as systems can make mistakes. Privacy considerations are also required, such as avoiding the use of confidential data in open tools. Example: an administrative assistant uses AI to summarize meeting minutes and verifies the text before sharing it.

Intermediate level: integrate into processes

At this stage, AI moves from being an isolated tool to one that optimizes processes. Adapta highlights data analysis with AI (44.6%) and prompt engineering (43%) as high-demand skills. For example, a financial analyst can automate spreadsheet consolidation and interpret the results generated.

Advanced level: decide and lead

Senior professionals and managers are expected to have a strategic vision: define where to apply AI, measure results, and establish governance rules. A human resources manager, for instance, may set criteria for using AI in resume screening. In technical roles, this also includes developing and integrating models into the company’s products and processes.

How to prepare

Guided practice is the most recommended approach: test tools on real tasks, document results, and update your resume with concrete projects. Data from Lightcast, published by Fast Company, shows that jobs requiring at least one AI skill offer salaries 28% higher than the market average.

What to expect from the market

The World Economic Forum estimates that about 70% of work-related skills will undergo significant changes by 2030 due to AI’s influence. Job descriptions are likely to incorporate technology usage criteria for a greater number of roles and hierarchical levels.