AI skills: 5 areas for your professional growth
25 de February, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer exclusive to technology companies and is now present in practically all areas of business. AI skills are increasingly in demand, and many people still lack the necessary skills to work with these applications. It’s therefore important to invest in this area, as these skills will be a differentiating factor on your CV.
What are AI skills?
AI skills are interdisciplinary and necessary to understand and use artificial intelligence with confidence. These include critical thinking and the ability to assess the risks and opportunities of the technology.
These skills cover both a basic understanding of functionality, its potential and limitations, and the efficient use of AI in professional life.
What skills should I develop?
According to a recent McKinsey study, 92% of companies plan to increase their investment in AI over the next 3 years. So now is the right time to start developing these skills. Discover five essential principles that are important for all professional profiles.
1 – Identify and use the potential of AI
To use artificial intelligence wisely and successfully, you need to be able to recognize what positive effects it can have on everyday tasks. Only those who are able to identify new areas of application for artificial intelligence and optimize processes will be able to exploit its full potential.
2 – Recognize risks and avoid dangers
If you want to increase your efficiency with AI, you need to be aware of its limits. It’s important to remain critical at all times and question whether the results provided by an AI tool are correct and therefore usable.
The use of artificial intelligence without thorough verification of the results can lead to problems with the reliability of information, as well as data protection and security, especially when confidential information needs to be processed.
3 – Understand the basic concepts
Understanding how technology works is fundamental to using it effectively: having a basic grasp of concepts such as machine learning and LLM(Large Language Models) makes it easier to adapt to innovations in the world of work. So, as well as creating texts, images, videos and other content with ChatGPT, Gemini or similar tools, you’ll also be able to understand the processes associated with each prompt you make.
4 – Applying AI effectively
Instead of trying to master all the tools and their functions, focus on how to apply AI effectively in your daily activities. Assess which tools are most relevant to your work and how they can be integrated to improve your productivity and efficiency.
5 – Being curious
More than a skill, openness to new technologies is a mindset. Adaptability and curiosity are key to navigating the technological changes in your professional environment.
How to improve AI skills?
Improving your skills in artificial intelligence is essential if you want to stand out in the job market. Look for courses, workshops and webinars that offer practical experience in AI and take advantage of the “Cheque-Formação + Digital” measure, which funds your digital training, including AI-related courses.
Join AI communities and forums where you can exchange experiences with colleagues and experts, gaining new perspectives and solutions to the challenges you face. These practices will not only enrich your professional profile, but also prepare you for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
More training, less fear of the future
AI is not replacing the human role, but the profiles that companies are looking for are changing. Therefore, investing in training is one of the best decisions you can make to prepare yourself for a constantly changing professional future.