Artificial intelligence is the secret sauce not only for enabling companies to surface workers’ skills and career aspirations, but also for matching them to projects, upskilling pathways, lateral mobility opportunities and mentorship within the organization, says Steven-Waiss.

“We have so much siloed talent data in companies,” she notes. “A skills hub built with AI can eliminate the data silos and duplication to ensure the data is both current and relevant and employees can have better access to learning and growth opportunities. When we enable a new operating model with a skills-powered talent marketplace, it’s a game changer.”

Major companies like Cisco, Google, IBM, GE, Procter & Gamble, Schneider Electronics and Bank of America have been leveraging AI-fueled internal talent marketplaces (ITMs) for years to empower workers to move laterally within the organization and chart an upward career path. A skills hub builds on the ITM foundation to surface skills and aspirations and matches employees with part-time projects, open positions, and mentorship opportunities.

Yockelson also sees the potential for AI to predict the skills needed tomorrow. “I want to use it to look ahead and break down the strategic skills we have in our workforce,” she says. “We can start investing ahead of time in training our people in the skills we will need three years from now.”