Summary: Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, yet a persistent AI skills gap limits workforce readiness. IEEE’s AI training and professional development programs bridge this divide, empowering employees and organizations to harness AI for innovation, efficiency, and growth.

AI isn’t just transforming technology, it’s revolutionizing how we work, innovate, and compete in the global marketplace. Yet despite AI’s growing prominence, a significant AI skills gap persists across industries. Many professionals and organizations are left struggling to harness AI’s full potential through effective AI education and professional development.

The AI Adoption Paradox in Professional Development

Recent research highlights a striking disconnect: while technology leaders identify AI as the most critical technology for 2025, most employees remain unclear on how to integrate AI tools into daily workflows. This gap represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity for organizations seeking comprehensive AI training solutions.

IEEE’s global study, The Impact of Technology in 2025 and Beyond, surveyed 350 technology leaders—including CIOs, CTOs, and IT directors—and paints a compelling picture of AI’s strategic importance for workforce development. More than half ranked AI technologies, encompassing predictive and generative AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, as their top priority entering 2025.

The enthusiasm is backed by action: 

  • 20% of respondents regularly use generative AI in business applications, citing tangible operational value
  • 24% acknowledge AI’s benefits and plan to explore practical applications through structured AI education programs
  • 30% have high expectations and intend to experiment with smaller-scale AI training initiatives

Yet, this executive-level confidence doesn’t translate to the broader workforce.

Research shows that 84% of employees lack clarity about what generative AI is or how it functions in professional settings.

At the same time, 77% of workers feel inadequately trained in AI tools and remain uncertain about how artificial intelligence applies to their roles.

This disconnect creates a critical bottleneck: organizations eager to embrace AI transformation but lacking the skilled workforce to execute their vision.

The Strategic Imperative for AI Education and Skills Development

The stakes couldn’t be higher for professional AI training. Organizations that strategically deploy AI through professional training are positioned to significantly outperform competitors in growth, efficiency, and innovation.

Effective AI implementation enables companies to:

  • Make informed, data-driven decisions
  • Optimize resource allocation
  • Deliver personalized customer experiences
  • Streamline project management

Business leaders who understand AI’s capabilities and limitations through structured AI training will be better equipped to navigate the competitive landscape ahead.

However, the question isn’t whether to invest in AI education and professional development, it’s how to do it effectively and at scale through proven AI training programs.

IEEE AI Training and Professional Development

To address this critical skills gap, IEEE Educational Activities has developed a robust AI education ecosystem that bridges the divide between AI’s potential and practical implementation. These targeted AI training courses ensure employees gain both cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on skills to drive innovation.

Each course provides:

  • Professional development credits (PDHs and CEUs)
  • Shareable digital badges to showcase verified AI proficiency
Featured AI Training Programs
Advanced AI Training for Leaders

For organizations and individuals seeking comprehensive AI leadership development, IEEE has partnered with Rutgers University to launch the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence program. This intensive AI education offering goes beyond technical training to address strategic AI implementation, helping participants understand how to leverage artificial intelligence for specific industries and job functions.

The mini-MBA program equips learners with advanced AI training to strategically address business challenges, optimize processes, maximize data effectiveness, enhance customer service, and drive overall organizational success through AI education. With both individual access and company-specific cohorts available, organizations can customize AI training experiences to meet their unique professional development needs.

Driving Innovation Through AI Skills Development

Whether you’re an experienced professional expanding your AI expertise or an organization looking to transform workforce capabilities, IEEE’s AI training programs provide the foundation for sustained innovation and growth.

Learn more about IEEE’s corporate solutions and professional development opportunities in artificial intelligence.

23 June 2025 marks the 12th annual International Women in Engineering Day, honoring the invaluable contributions made by women engineers worldwide.

Trailblazing Women in Engineering

Throughout history, women engineers have indelibly shaped STEM and society alike through groundbreaking innovations.

Among the world’s many notable pioneers, British engineer and mathematician Hertha Ayrton’s award-winning work in the late 1800s and early 1900s enabled a deeper understanding of electric arcs and ripple effects in sand and water.

American chemist and physicist Esther Conwell’s mid-late 20th century work on the properties of semiconductors and organic conductors helped establish the foundations of modern computing.

And after becoming the world’s first woman to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 1929, Canada’s Elsie MacGill played a key role in designing and overseeing the production of over 1,400 Hawker Hurricane fighter planes. These aircraft proved pivotal to the defeat of the Axis powers during World War II.

Modern Day Achievements

More recently, Japan native and computer scientist Yoky Matsuoka, who has held high-level technology roles at Google, Apple, and Nest, conducted landmark research that combined the properties of both neuroscience and robotics. Through this unique approach – a field she named “neurobotics” — she worked to create more realistic prosthetics for amputees.

Britain’s Claire Tomlin, who has taught at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, brought her expertise in aeronautics, astronautics, and electrical engineering to advance the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and air traffic control.

And Texas-based professor Naomi Halas’ research in nanotechnology and her invention of “nanoshells” – tiny glass particles with unique optical properties – holds tremendous promise for destroying cancerous tissue. Her efforts are revolutionizing biomedical imaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery.

Engage in Continuing Education and Support Women in Engineering

IEEE proudly supports and recognizes the many women engineers who are shaping the industry and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in engineering.

Below are just some of IEEE’s continuing education course opportunities that are led or feature content written by at least one female instructor.

Emerging Technologies
  • AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments:
    This five-course program, co-led by Eleanor ‘Nell’ Watson, a world-renowned machine intelligence researcher and expert on machine vision and AI ethics, offers a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems. Learn more about the course program>>
  • Introduction to Blockchain Technology
    Through in-depth case studies, a discussion of Bitcoin and its connection to blockchain-based technology, and an overview of the pros and cons of decentralization in blockchain technology, this three-hour course program will help learners understand how blockchain can transform their industry. The course is instructed by Morgen Peck, freelance technology journalist with years of experience covering Bitcoin and the blockchain technologies for IEEE Spectrum Magazine, Wired, Scientific American, American Banker, and others. Learn more about the course program>>
Computational & Engineering Methods
  • Finite Element Method for Photonics
    This five-hour course program provides a current and comprehensive account of FEM in photonics devices. With an emphasis on practical, problem-solving applications and real-world examples, learners will understand how mathematical concepts translate to computer code finite-element-based methods. Instructor Arti Agrawal is an Associate Professor in the School of Data and Electrical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. Learn more about the course program>>
  • High Performance Computing: Achieving Performance and Efficiency
    This course provides the context for current and near-future CPUs and GPUS as well as what developers will need to know when they program them. The course covers everything from the programming languages dominating the field of HPC to the architecture of parallel programming models and workflow management requirements in large-scale HPC environments. Co-instructor Barbara Chapman, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Technologist for the Cray Programming Environment at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), was a longtime Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University, and remains affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science. Learn more about the course program>>
Cybersecurity & Systems Reliability
  • Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network
    This five-course program covers automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for intelligent vehicles as well as the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems. A contributing course instructor is Irish Singh, Ph.D., former Assistant Professor/Director of ReBlockchain Group at ECIS, Woosong University, South Korea and current faculty member at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, U.S. Learn more about the course program>>.
  • Software and Systems Engineering Standards: Life Cycle Processes
    This course shows systems engineers how to use IEEE standards for life cycle processes, understand life cycle and engineering process concepts, select and apply useful systems and software engineering standards, and employ special considerations for the critical programs of defense and aerospace. Instructor Annette Reilly, Ph.D., an active member of the ISO/IEC standards development committee for systems and software engineering, brings extensive field expertise to the topic based on her 31-year-career with Lockheed Martin and her roles as co-editor of ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207, Software engineering—Life cycle processes as well as editor or co-editor of 12 other standards. Learn more about the course program>>
Professional Skills & Communication
  • IEEE English for Technical Professionals
    This online 14-course program will help both professional engineers/technical professionals whose first language may not be English and native speakers alike to strengthen their English language skills through practical activities for reading, writing, and speaking. Instructors include Traci Nathans-Kelly, Ph.D., Director of the Engineering Communications Program at Cornell University, and Susan Matson, M.S., a Teaching Fellow for the U.S. Department of State in Eastern Europe as well as National Director of Curriculum for a multi-site Intensive English Program in the U.S. Learn more about the course program>>

Mark your calendars—IEEE Education Week takes place from 6–12 April 2025! This popular annual event is a week-long celebration of the educational opportunities provided by IEEE and its many organizational units, societies, and councils worldwide. Whether you’re a technical professional, a member of the academic community, or a STEM enthusiast, IEEE Education Week is a great way to explore the broad range of educational programs and resources offered by the world’s largest technical professional association.

Challenge Yourself

While it might seem easy, comfortable, or convenient to “stay in your lane” in your current position, numerous studies confirm the increasing importance of continuing education in today’s competitive landscape and the positive impact training and development can have on your job performance, career progression, and self-esteem.

Nine out of ten workers surveyed believe that continuing education positively affects their level of engagement on the job. The same study also revealed that one of the top reasons why employees reported feeling bored at work was due to a “lack of opportunity to learn new skills.”

A recent study also showed that opportunities for continuing education, growth, and development on the job are considered key to career success by 76% of the Gen Z workforce, and another study showed that these opportunities were considered critical by 59% of the millennial-age workforce.

Continuing Education Pays Dividends

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that “the more you learn, the more you earn.” The acquisition of new skills, degrees, and industry certifications can merit a pay raise at your existing job or a higher starting salary at your next job—often to the tune of 10-20% more.

The pursuit of continuing education also offers many personal benefits. Among them, it affords the opportunity to widen your network of industry peers, mentors, and leaders as well as delivering the sense of satisfaction that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone, investing in yourself, and tackling new challenges.

Six out of ten employees surveyed believed that continuing education enhances job performance and productivity.

And 51% of employees surveyed believed that continuing education boosts their self-confidence, while 41% felt it improves their time-management skills.

Furthermore, many experts feel there’s a strong link between ongoing learning and good health. This is because continuing education challenges you to exercise your memory, problem-solving abilities, openness to change, and cognitive skills at any age.

The bottom line?

In today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing business and technical landscape, the acquisition of new skills through continuing education, certifications, and degrees are critical to remaining competitive and getting ahead.

IEEE Education Week: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education from the World’s Largest Technology Association

Offering in-person and virtual events, resources, and special offers on educational products and services across the organization, IEEE Education Week is a great opportunity to explore your interests and acquire additional knowledge. Whether you’re a professional working in a technical field, a faculty member, or a university student, there’s a learning opportunity that will inspire you during IEEE Education Week. Plus, a range of special offers and discounts during IEEE Education Week can make some of these offerings even easier to access.

In 2025 and beyond, semiconductor sales—along with employment opportunities for engineers in the dynamic chip industry—are expected to rise precipitously.

Semiconductor sales are projected to hit nearly US$700 billion in 2025, grow to US$1 trillion by 2030, and potentially reach US$2 trillion by 2040, according to a Deloitte Insights report.

A number of trends are driving the semiconductor industry forward. First, post-pandemic sales of computers, tablets, smartphones, and other wireless and wired communications devices—which collectively accounted for nearly 60% of global semiconductor sales as of 2023-2024—are forecasted to experience strong growth during the next five to ten years. Additionally, demand for high-tech “generative AI chips” is on the rise. These chips enable computers’ central processing units (CPUs) to execute machine learning algorithms for everything from facial recognition applications to customer service-related chatbots, language processing for voice assistants, and more. 

On the design side, growth of the semiconductor market is supported by an increasingly popular chip manufacturing strategy known as “shift left,” which enables tasks that were once performed sequentially to be done concurrently for greater efficiency and cost savings.

Working to Meet Demand

To keep pace with projected growth, manufacturers are expanding capacity worldwide:

For example, after investing US$65 billion into chip fabrication facilities in Phoenix, Arizona in 2020, industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently announced additional investment of US$100 billion in order to double that location’s manufacturing capacity. Supported by almost US$8 billion in funding from the U.S. CHIPS (“Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors”) and Science Act of August 2022, key player Intel recently announced its plans to invest US$100 billion to expand its U.S-based domestic chip manufacturing capacity and capabilities in Arizona and Ohio. 

Elsewhere around the world, STMicroelectronics recently announced its intention to build a new, high-volume manufacturing facility in France. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is working to expand three of its existing Chinese facilities in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. Manufacturers Nvidia, AMD, and Micron have all announced plans to establish new operations in India.

A Skills Gap Persists

While worldwide sales of semiconductors, as well as manufacturing capacity to meet demand, are all on the uptick, one major challenge stands to potentially derail production: a global shortage of skilled workers.

In the U.S. alone, new semiconductor facilities are short by nearly 70,000 workers needed to staff them.

Of those positions, approximately 41% are in the engineering fields, 39% are technician roles, and another 20% are in computer science. This shortage threatens to impair the industry’s potential in the years to come, according to a study by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Furthermore, a recent report claimed that an estimated 400,000 additional professionals would be needed to fulfill Europe’s semiconductor industry goals, while China was some 30,000 workers short of meeting its semiconductor targets.

“Because semiconductors are foundational to virtually all critical technologies of today and the future,” the SIA study confirmed, “closing the talent gap in the chip industry will be central to the promotion of growth and innovation throughout the economy.”

Experts from Deloitte agreed, noting that the semiconductor field will need “electrical engineers to design chips and the tools that make the chips,” while “digital skills, such as cloud, AI, and analytics, are needed in design and manufacturing more than ever.”

Positioning Engineers for Success in Semiconductors and AI

To support workforce development, IEEE offers online learning programs that equip semiconductor professionals with cutting-edge AI and chip design skills. These include:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chip Design:
    Offered by IEEE Educational Activities in partnership with IEEE Future Directions and IEEE Global Semiconductors, this course program discusses the significance of artificial intelligence and machine learning. It provides an overview of how these technologies are shaping the future of chip design as well as key applications in design automation, relevant technologies, deployment considerations, and future prospects.
  • Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications:
    This five-course program created in partnership with the IEEE Computer Society helps learners understand the intersection of artificial intelligence, edge computing, and nanotechnology with real-life applications and future trends.
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Impact and Effectiveness of AI
    This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the evolving landscape of semiconductor manufacturing with special emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence into this critical industry.

Upon successfully completing the programs, participants earn professional development credits, including Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). They’ll also receive a digital badge highlighting their proficiency in the technology area which can be showcased on social media.

For institutional access, contact an IEEE Content Specialist. Individuals can explore and enroll directly via the IEEE Learning Network.

 

A successful career in engineering isn’t only about having strong technical expertise. It also hinges on your ability to communicate clearly, engage and motivate others, demonstrate business acumen, and lead teams effectively. Deficits in any of these skillsets can significantly impair an engineer’s career trajectory.

Strong leadership skills are key to any manager’s or company’s success. Conversely, weakness in this area can undermine that pursuit. For example, a study found that nearly four out of five employees who recently quit their job attributed their decision to a lack of leadership or recognition in their company. Similarly, a Gallup survey of more than one million employees nationwide revealed that 75% of respondents who had quit their jobs did so because of their manager, not the position. The results confirm the old saying that “people leave managers, not companies.”

This reality is especially hard-felt in the engineering community. Many electrical and electronics engineers confirm that all or most of their academic training focused on mastery of STEM-related technical skills, with little to no time spent on developing their leadership, communication, business, or people skills.

More Than Technical Knowledge Needed to Succeed

The fallout of this skills gap has been felt across many tech-related fields. Based on discussions with dozens of executives in tech companies, a recent report identified the top five reasons why advanced-degree scientists and engineers fail in leadership roles – and they don’t relate to their technical knowledge at all. Rather, their failures were attributed to poor communication skills, lack of people skills, lack of strategic thinking, inability to develop talent, and poor time management.

As engineers progress in their careers, their responsibilities often expand beyond just technical expertise. Successive positions up the ladder will require skillsets such as managing projects, engaging and motivating employees, collaborating with other teams, planning and budgeting, demonstrating vision, and employing a range of other business and leadership skills.

This is confirmed by a Harvard Business School study, which identified “leadership” as one of the top business skills that tech and engineering employers seek in their candidates, along with strengths in communication, management, problem-solving, business operations, research, and critical thinking.

Experts agree that without these foundational skills, technical professionals will only go so far. In a recent study, for example, 73% of companies surveyed felt that business, leadership, and cognitive skills were lacking among prospective candidates. This gap will limit the growth and success of organizations and candidates alike.

The good news in all of this?

A recent study cited in Forbes revealed that only 20-30% of leadership skills are actually innate and that some 70% of leadership qualities can be acquired through experience and education. In other words, tech professionals can learn to be strong and effective leaders.

Let the IEEE Professional Development Suite Help You and Your Team Hone Your Business and Leadership Skills

Invest in your professional development and further your goal of moving up the corporate ladder by exploring the IEEE Professional Development Suite. This collection of training programs is specially designed to suit the needs of professionals at any stage of their career.

  • IEEE Leading Technical Teams offers learners the essential skills and strategies required to help technical teams achieve their goals. The curriculum features live interactive training, engaging case studies, and practical, real-world exercises. Discover the latest trends and best practices in technical leadership and gain the confidence to navigate complex challenges. Learn more and register for a virtual or in-person sessions! 
  • The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers is specifically designed to help engineers and technology professionals secure the critical business skills that are important for long-term career success. Offered in short, flexible, and engaging modules, learners will receive a foundational overview of key business topics such as accounting, communication, ethics, finance, managerial economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, operations, and strategic management as well as practices to help align technical capabilities with business goals. Learn more! 
  • The newly launched IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA: Artificial Intelligence seeks to demystify AI for business managers and leaders. Learn how AI can be used to address business pain points, optimize processes, better serve customer needs, and improve an organization’s bottom line. Get the skills needed to take a strategic, business view of AI and understand its real-world applications within your own department and organization. Learn more!

 

Resources:

Powitzky, Elizabeth. (25 May 2018). Great Leaders Are Made, Not Born: Six Strategies for Becoming a Better Leader. Forbes.

Kizer, Kristin. (29 June 2023). 35+ Powerful Leadership Statistics [2023]: Things All Aspiring Leaders Should Know. Zippia.

Lewis, Greg. (11 August 2022). Industries with the Highest (and Lowest) Turnover Rates. LinkedIn.

Boyles, Michael. (10 January 2023). Leadership in Engineering: What It Is & Why It’s Important. Harvard Business School.

Hyacinth, Brigette. (27 December 2017). Employees Don’t Leave Companies, They Leave Managers. LinkedIn.

Upwork.Adams, Angelique. Top 5 Reasons Advanced-Degree Scientists and Engineers Fail in Leadership Roles. LinkedIn.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Sills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business Review. 

Barnes, Cory. Soft Skills for Engineers: The importance of communication, teamwork, and other non-technical skills in a highly technical field. LinkedIn. 

The field of systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to product development which helps ensure that all elements of a product’s hardware and software work together to achieve the desired outcome. Systems engineering is particularly useful when dealing with complex products or applications that involve a lot of data, variables, or design fields. Examples include NASA’s design of the International Space Station (operated by five space agencies) and the exploration of Pluto by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This high-profile aerospace initiative’s success relied on meticulous planning, exact calculations, complete integration between the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and mission operations, and thorough management of all performance and budgetary aspects throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Similarly, the Global Positioning System (GPS), a space-based positioning, navigation, and timing service, required high-level systems engineering to oversee the design and integration of space, ground, and user components.

Other real-world examples of the implementation of systems engineering hit much closer to home.

Systems Engineering In Practice

In the design of new hardware and software products within the IT world, for example, systems engineers oversee development by understanding the system, its goals, and the interaction of all parts as a whole and balancing the needs of all stakeholders with organizational costs and risk. On the flip side, as it relates to users of hardware and software in an enterprise IT setting, systems engineers are tasked with understanding their organization’s business requirements and identifying the hardware and software elements that best meet their organization’s needs. They may also set up, configure, and maintain servers, administer the network, oversee security measures and response to cyber incidents, and document changes to the system for ongoing maintenance and auditing purposes.

Elsewhere, the field of autonomous vehicle design – which demands seamless integration between sensors, AI algorithms, control systems, and other components – relies on systems engineers to help meet performance, reliability, and safety goals. Systems engineers are also heavily involved in the fields of printed circuit board design, robotics, and utility power generation, delivery, control, and protection.

Across the board, contributions by systems engineers can significantly enhance a company’s product quality as well as its efficiency, financial performance, and speed to market. In the aerospace industry, for instance, systems engineering activities at Boeing were instrumental in reducing development time of the company’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft by 60% relative to previous models.

Demand for Systems Engineers

Based on the demonstrated value systems engineers bring to organizations, demand for the profession is increasing worldwide. Built In, a tech start-up platform, projects a 21% growth in these job opportunities between 2021 and 2031.

To accomplish an organization’s goals, systems engineers take a top-down approach and evaluate all parts of an entire integrated system to ensure that each aspect will work together to accomplish overall objectives. In that sense, because they must know a little bit about every component and process within a new product’s development, how all of these parts come together, and be able to see the big picture, systems engineers play a critical role similar to that of an orchestra conductor. Among their major tasks, systems engineers are typically involved with everything from design compatibility, definition of requirements, and project management to cost analysis, scheduling, upcoming system upgrades, maintenance requirements, and communications between the project’s engineers, managers, suppliers, and customers. As such, their work can have a significant impact on a project’s metrics.

Explore the Field of Systems Engineering with IEEE

Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering
This course program teaches essential configuration management core concepts and best practices for both hardware and software (starting with the requirements specified in the IEEE 828 standard) in order to help reduce an organization’s risk of a malicious attack and/or enable rapid response to an incident. Ideal for managers, practicing professionals, academics, undergraduates, and electrical engineers, the five-course program helps learners assess and improve existing organizational configuration management practices in systems engineering.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense
This course program explores systems and software engineering concepts for the aerospace and defense industries. Topics covered include the life cycle and engineering process, selection and application of appropriate IEEE standards, and methods of addressing complex issues through interrelated life cycle processes and other agile techniques within these specific industries. This five-program course is ideal for aerospace engineers, project managers, software engineers, government and defense professionals, and standards developers.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

What is Systems Engineering? Jama Software.

Systems Engineering. Study Smarter.

Moiz, Abdul. (16 July 2024). What Is Systems Engineering? (With Steps and Skills). Indeed.

Powers, Jessica. (7 December 2022). Systems Engineer. Built In.

(20 August 2024). What is an IT Systems Engineer? Guru.

How Can Systems Engineering Improve Aerospace Engineering? LinkedIn.

Andersen, Grady. (2 February 2024). The Impact of Systems Engineering on Various Industries. MoldStud.

Although 2024 has only just begun, it is already shaping up to be an active year. Across industries, powerful tech trends are emerging that will impact both today and tomorrow. With this in mind, it is crucial to stay informed, be proactive, and invest in your own development. Doing so ensures you bring the most current thinking and best engineering practices to your workplace and career.

To help, here are several top tech trends of 2024, shared by leading experts, along with targeted IEEE course programs to support your continuing education journey. Stay ahead, and let IEEE guide you toward a productive year.

Data Privacy

First, data privacy remains a growing concern. A 2023 Pew Research Center study found that 67% of respondents had little understanding of how companies use their data, while 81% expressed concern. As personal data is increasingly collected, sold, and exposed to breaches, mechanisms to protect privacy are more important than ever.

IEEE Resource: Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age (Four-Course Program)
Brought to you by IEEE Educational Activities in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy, this four-course program provides a framework on how to operationalize privacy in an organizational context, how to make it usable for end users, and how to address emerging technical challenges to protecting digital privacy. Learn More>>

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

Next, IoT security is critical. With 15 billion devices connected worldwide—expected to double by 2030—each smart device becomes a data endpoint. As a result, protecting networks and hardware through IoT security techniques has never been more urgent.

IEEE Resource: All About IoT Security (Six-Course Program)
Developed by IEEE Educational Activities with support from IEEE Internet of Things Technical Community, this six-course program is designed to provide learners with a broad overview of IoT security. It starts with challenges such as malware and botnets followed by vulnerabilities, network monitoring, setting up of testbeds, and application of blockchain in IoT security. Learn More>>

Energy Efficiency/Sustainability

Experts agree that the continued development of sustainable electricity sources will not only contribute to energy efficiency goals but ensure greater accessibility to energy worldwide. According to Liz Centoni, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager, Applications at Cisco, “the fast-emerging category of energy networking, which combines the capabilities of software-defined networking and an electric power system made up of direct-current microgrids, will contribute to energy efficiency [and optimize] power usage, distribution, transmission, and storage.”

Microgrids (local, self-sufficient energy systems designed to support a defined community of users), as well as minigrids (smaller-scale microgrids designed to distribute electricity generated by such renewable sources as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, hydropower, and diesel generators), will be especially critical for the estimated 750-800 million people worldwide who currently have no access to electricity. Two-thirds of this number live in sub-Saharan Africa.

IEEE Resource: Minigrids in Africa (Four-Course Program)
In this training, learners will explore the context and roles for minigrids in Africa, as well as appropriate technologies, maintenance, sustainability, operational considerations for connecting to national grids, and regulatory and policy considerations. Learn More>>

High-Performance Computing

Though high-performance computing has been used for decades in academic and government settings, the recent proliferation in the quantity of data that’s become available and shared across an increasingly expanding number of hardware and software touchpoints is driving the demand for greater computing power. Thanks to the broad range of mission-critical applications for high-performance computing— including weather forecasting, healthcare/drug development, quantum mechanics, climate research, and more— experts confirm that there will be an ongoing need for data to be processed at incredibly high speeds of quadrillions of calculations per second and even faster.

IEEE Resource: High Performance Computing Technologies, Solutions to Exascale Systems, and Beyond (Five-Course Program)
This course program, developed in partnership with IEEE Future Directions, focuses on high-performance computing, how to address challenges and solutions in the Exascale era, the leading edge of HPC research, and more. Learn More>>

High-Efficiency Wi-Fi

According to telecom expert Shaun Carlson of Arvig, “the sixth generation of Wi-Fi networks— dubbed Wi-Fi 6 and technically known as [IEEE Standard] 802.11ax— promises major improvements in the capacity and capability of wireless networks” relative to the previous generation. Benefits of Wi-Fi 6 include up to 40% faster connectivity/speed for supported devices, increased network capacity through the use of multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology, and greater efficiency that conserves battery power. “As more Wi-Fi 6-certified devices hit the market – from routers to laptops and more,” said Carlson, “it’s a good time for businesses to consider how their networks can accommodate Wi-Fi 6.”

IEEE Resource: IEEE 802.11ax: An Overview of High-Efficiency Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) (Two-Course Program)
In this training, learners will gain an overview of the features and optimizations introduced by IEEE 802.11ax to the Physical (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, which led to these improvements. Learn More>>

Configuration Management

The growing threat of cyber attacks involving ransomware, malware, computer worms, and other nefarious forms of software continues to rise to the point where an attack now occurs every 39 seconds at a cost of US$6 billion globally (and potentially over US$10 billion by 2025).  Experts report that 95% of cyber security breaches are a result of human error and the action of users who unknowingly view or interact with bad actors/sites and expose their system(s) to malicious code.  As a result, configuration management— an IT process that establishes configuration standards for each asset in a company’s network, automatically alerting business leaders of any issues that require updates, reconfiguration, or patches and promoting consistency across the network— is becoming an increasingly standard approach that companies are employing to reduce their vulnerability to cyber threats.

IEEE Resource: Software & Hardware Configuration Management in Systems Engineering (Five-Course Program)
Developed with the IEEE Computer Society, this course program teaches essential configuration management (CM) core concepts for both hardware and software starting with requirements specified in IEEE Standard 828. Learn More>>

Time-Sensitive Networking

Housed within the family of IEEE 802 Standards, time-sensitive networking enables data traffic of time-critical applications to be carried over a network shared by various kinds of applications. It is increasingly delivering the benefits of speed, accuracy, and reliability to a broad range of industries, from industrial automation and manufacturing to automotive and aerospace, telecommunications, entertainment, and more.

IEEE Resource: New Course on Time-Sensitive Networking!
Virtual Local Area Network Bridging with TSN Enhancements introduces the components of network architecture that play a vital role in time-sensitive networking (TSN), and which provide the tools needed by network architects to properly architect networks to support the delivery of data for time-sensitive applications. Learn More>>

 

Resources

Law, Marcus.  (20 December 2023).  Top 10: Technology Trends for 2024. Technology.

(8 January 2024). 20 Tech Experts on The Tools And Trends That Will Dominate 2024. Forbes.

Cozzi, Laura, Wetzel, Daniel, Tonolo, Gianluca, and Hyppolite II, Jacob. (3 November 2022). For the First Time in Decades, the Number of People Without Access to Electricity is Set to Increase in 2022. International Energy Agency.

Mcclain, Colleen, Faverio, Michelle, Anderson, Monica, and Park, Eugenie. (18 October 2023). How Americans View Data Privacy. Pew Research Center.

Vailshery, Lionel Sujay. (27 July 2023). Number of Internet of Things (IoT) Connected Devices Worldwide from 2019 To 2023, With Forecasts from 2022 to 2030. Statista.

Becher, Brooke. (5 October 2023). IoT Security: What It Is and Why It’s Important. Built In.

Carlson, Shaun/Arvig.  (26 April 2022). Wi-Fi 6 is Here: The 3 Biggest Advantages of Upgrading Your Business Network. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Boskamp, Elie. (15 June 2023). 30 Crucial Cybersecurity Statistics [2023]: Data, Trends and More. Zippia.

(1 August 2022). What Is Configuration Management and Why Is It Important? UpGuard.

Online learning opportunities from IEEE will help you capitalize on the record-high level of investments in technology being made worldwide.

One look at the rapid technological advancements taking place all around us in today’s digital society and the bottom line is clear:  technology doesn’t just fuel business anymore — it is the business.

Such was the conclusion drawn by Deloitte’s 2023 Global Technology Leadership Study, which surveyed nearly 1,200 chief information officers (CIOs), chief technology officers (CTOs), and other senior technology decision-makers worldwide.  While the average technology budget as a percentage of revenue for these companies was 3.64% in 2018, it increased to 5.49% in 2022. Deloitte expects that number to rise to 5.85% in 2024 – an unprecedented 60% increase in just about five years.

Deloitte experts attribute this significant increase in tech investment to pent-up demand for technology during the pandemic. Another factor they identified is the recent dispersion of leadership roles in the corporate tech space, which now authorizes a broader range of leaders beyond just the CIO (such as CTOs, Chief Digital Officers, and Chief Data Officers, to name just a few) to drive tech-related investments. 

A Post-Pandemic Infusion of Funds 

The pandemic, along with its subsequent supply chain issues and shipping delays, served as eye-opening reminders of how dependent many economies were on foreign suppliers for key technologies.  This realization became a major catalyst for the recent spike in tech investment.

In the U.S., for example, The CHIPS (“Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors”) and Science Act, enacted in August 2022, earmarked over US$50 billion for domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in America.  It also established a 25% tax credit for capital investments in semiconductor manufacturing.  Since then, the U.S. White House reports that companies have committed over US$231 billion of investments in semiconductor and electronics technology and manufacturing in an effort to boost America’s global competitiveness and make its supply chains more robust and resilient.

The European CHIPS Act, enacted in February 2022, similarly aims to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and resilience in semiconductors and their various applications.  And there are many more investments as countries around the world consider their own role in the overall semiconductor landscape.

Other Technology Investments

The global rise in tech investments goes way beyond just semiconductors, however. For instance, through its recent investment in electric vehicle brand Ceer — a joint venture between PIF (the Public Investment Fund, a global sustainable investor), Taiwanese-based Foxconn, and BMW — and its new manufacturing plant in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia is hoping to enter the electric vehicle (EV)/renewables space and diversify from oil into what it describes as “the industries of tomorrow.”

All of the aforementioned global tech investments aim to attract top talent and create workforce opportunities. However, experts warn that it’s a dream which may not be fully realized based on the current state of the talent pool.

“A lack of talent is a top issue constraining growth,” said the authors of the McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023. This survey of 3.5 million job postings across a variety of tech fields found that there are up to twice as many job postings than qualified applicants for many of the skills in greatest demand. According to the report, this is especially true in such areas as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, semiconductors, quantum technologies, space technologies, and electrification and renewables.

Invest In Your Company’s Growth and Success

With technology changing rapidly and investments in technology being made at record-high levels around the world, organizations need to fill the talent gap with targeted training in order to position their company and workforce for success in the evolving marketplace. Among the best and easiest ways to achieve that is through the broad range of online learning opportunities offered by IEEE.

A variety of studies confirm that online learning is cost-effective (often half the cost of traditional classroom training!), efficient, and convenient.  And according to separate studies by the Research Institute of America and the Association for Talent Development, it’s also associated with higher retention rates as well as greater employee engagement and productivity. Given all of the many advantages of eLearning, there’s never been a better time to invest in your company’s growth and success by participating in these and other online learning opportunities through IEEE.

IEEE eLearning Offerings:

  • The IEEE Learning Network — Access hundreds of educational courses through this online learning platform, which offers the latest continuing education in engineering and technology.  From instruction in 5G, the smart grid, and renewable energy to AI, next-generation IoT, current standards, and much more, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) can help you advance your career, refresh your skills, or just keep you on top of the latest industry trends.
  • The IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers — Offered by IEEE in conjunction with New Jersey’s renowned Rutgers Business School, the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers is an outstanding and convenient program expressly designed for engineers and technology professionals.  The 12-week program covers key topics such as business strategy, managing new product development, analyzing financial statements, intellectual property strategy, sales and marketing, and leadership.  The course offers a robust combination of expert instruction, peer interaction, self-paced video lessons, interactive assessments, live office hours, and a hands-on capstone project experience.

For more information or to register for any or all of our comprehensive collection of online learning opportunities, visit https://innovate.ieee.org/educational-resources/. 

Resources

(9 August 2023).  “One Year after the CHIPS and Science Act, Biden-⁠Harris Administration Marks Historic Progress in Bringing Semiconductor Supply Chains Home, Supporting Innovation, and Protecting National Security.”  White House Briefing.

“European CHIPS Act.”  European Commission.

(26 July 2023).  “Saudi Arabia Drives Towards an Electric Future.”  Public Investment Fund (PIF) News.

“From Tech Investment to Impact:  Strategies for Allocating Capital and Articulating Value.”  Deloitte Insights.

Chui, Michael, Issler, Mena, Roberts, Roger, and Yee, Lareina.  (20 July 2023).  “McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023.”  McKinsey Digital.

Roshi, Ludjon.  (25 February 2023).  “E-Learning Statistics 2023.”  Codeless.

Renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke once famously likened advancements in technology to “magic.” Meanwhile, noted American historian Arthur Schlesinger stated that “science and technology revolutionize our lives.”

“Good, bad or indifferent,” confirmed billionaire British businessman and retailer Sir Philip Green, “if you’re not investing in new technology, you’re going to be left behind.”

While technology is indeed transformative, it’s the people behind it who inspire and enable the ground-breaking technical advancements. These advancements are revolutionizing businesses across all sectors, from e-commerce retailers to financial service firms, manufacturing companies, and more, every day.

The bottom line? Regardless of the field you’re in, a ‘technology’ provider’s ability to continually drive innovation is crucial to its livelihood. To fuel that all-important innovation process, companies need strong leaders who can motivate and inspire their technical teams to reach for the sky.

Leaders of Technical Teams Face Unique Challenges in Today’s Competitive Landscape

Those who work on technical teams agree that great technical leaders walk a fine line between sharing their opinions and listening with an open mind. They are positive and energetic while remaining calm, cool, and collected. Successful technical leaders understand technological issues and can identify and execute on market opportunities. Thanks to their own strong technical skills, they also communicate clearly, connect with people frequently, mentor and develop their team members, and inspire those around them.

While members of technical teams are responsible for executing strategies on the ground, leaders of technical teams must foster an environment of innovation, creativity, and growth. They should shift their focus from what they can produce to what they can inspire others to produce.

According to a recent Workhuman study, this is often easier said than done. Many technical leaders, in fact, acknowledge that they could benefit from management coaching. A staggering 93% of technical leaders surveyed admitted this truth.

Are you one of those nine out of 10? How effective are you at inspiring and leading your team to transformative technological success?

Explore Training Opportunities for Technical Leaders

Constant upskilling is essential for technical professionals to stay current. Organizations should actively support their technical talent in developing crucial leadership skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. This strategic investment not only fosters effective leadership. Additionally, it contributes to accelerated business growth. LinkedIn reports that technical professionals possessing a blend of both soft and hard skills have the potential to achieve promotions 13% faster.

Whether you’re a seasoned technical leader or have recently moved into a leadership role, IEEE offers the following targeted training designed to help sharpen the unique skills technical leaders need. This will advance their teams, create engaged and inspired workplace environments, and support their organization in driving winning technology and innovation:

IEEE Leading Technical Teams is a training program which recognizes the unique challenges that come with leading technical groups. It is designed for team leaders, managers, and directors of engineering and technology teams who have been in their role for a minimum of six months. The program equips technical leaders with the tools they need to flourish in their roles and unlock their professional growth and success. It also inspires and motivates their teams to greater heights of innovation.

IEEE Leading Technical Teams consists of two components:

  • A “360° Leadership Practices Inventory” (LPI), which solicits confidential feedback on both the leader’s areas of strength and improvement opportunities. This feedback comes from their team members, peers, and managers/supervisors.
  • A 6-hour, in-person training session, where attendees receive the results of their LPI. They participate in targeted instructor-led exercises, discuss case studies that highlight the unique challenges faced by technical leaders, and subsequent solutions and best practices they can apply to their specific situations. Additionally, they learn the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” and receive valuable peer coaching.

IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers and Technology Professionals is an online program designed to help engineers and technology professionals obtain the critical business skills needed for long-term career success. As the only online Mini-MBA curriculum specifically designed for technical professionals, this 15-week online program offers expert instruction, peer interaction, self-paced video lessons, interactive assessments, live office hours, and a hands-on capstone project experience.

Join 2024 Sessions

Learn more and reserve your seat today for:

IEEE Leading Technical Teams

IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers and Technology Professionals

Resources

Szczerba, Robert J. (9 February 2015). 20 Great Technology Quotes to Inspire, Amaze, And Amuse. Forbes.

Dahl, Danielle. (26 February 2023). 90 Technology Quotes That Will Advance Your Life. Everyday Power.

Elye. 10 Admirable Attributes of a Great Technical Lead. Better Programming.

(19 April 2022). 5 Management Challenges For New Tech Leaders & Where Mentoring Helps. CTO Academy.

Engineers spend much of their time learning technical skills. However, they may not be as invested in learning the communication and business knowledge needed to ascend to leadership positions. These skills are becoming especially important as digital transformation is forcing traditional workforces to evolve.

While technical certifications can certainly make an impressive addition to your resume, a mix of technical and non-technical certifications is even better. Consider these insightful tips from IT leaders on how to obtain and make the most of professional certifications. These tips were originally published in CIO (magazine).

Seven Tips to Help You Grow Professionally

  1. Get certified in areas where your skills are lacking:
    Chief Information Officers (CIOs) at big technology organizations tend to have excellent IT skills. However, these skills are often paired with a lack in communication skills. CIOs from customer-facing business to business organizations often have the opposite problem. This is according to Saurabh Chandra, managing director at Boston Consulting Group. “These technology leaders need to get certified in areas that they lack. While CIOs push their team to get certified, they need to come out of their comfort zones and follow suit,” Chandra said.
  2. Establish your own way of learning:
    Rather than going along with professional learning trends, you should establish a personalized list of certifications. Aim to finish these within 18 months, advises Puneesh Lamba, CIO of Shahi Exports, an apparel manufacturing company. “The courses should be shortlisted, keeping in mind both the individual’s interest and the organization’s need,” Lamba said.
  3. Obtain certifications that expand knowledge of your industry:
    “If I have to remain in the insurance industry, I have to continuously build on my knowledge base,” said Mayank Bhargava, chief technology and data officer at Pramerica Life Insurance.
  4. Make sure the certifications you are obtaining are meaningful:
    Look for certifications that will add real value to your skills, advises Sunil Mehta, senior vice president and area systems director for Central Asia at advertising agency WPP. “Getting certified after attending one to two hours of a local online course doesn’t add true value,” Mehta said.
  5. Implement your knowledge:
    “At the end of the day, it is the content, faculty, and case studies of a course that cumulatively open the mind,” said Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. “Without implementing the knowledge thus acquired, a certification will only serve the purpose of self-gratification.”
  6. Immerse yourself in projects as if you are a non-manager:
    Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, said he takes a hands-on approach to projects. This includes areas like coding, designing, process flow, testing, or architecture. “This not only helps me to put into practice what I learned in a certification course. It also enables me to stay relevant by getting insights into crucial aspects of a project, such as human behavior, technology, content, and motivation,” said Chatterjee.
  7. Match your technical certifications with business certifications 50:50:
    “For every AI and data science certification, I also undertake a business certification. This helps in enhancing my behavioral and influencing skills. It enables me to build a business case for technology and aids me in transforming the IT department,” said Lamba.

As an engineer, growing your leadership skills is essential. Do you have the skills necessary to take on a leadership role and compete in a constantly evolving job market?

Show You Have What It Takes to Become a Leader

Whether you’re looking to grow within your current organization or find opportunities elsewhere, start preparing for your next move. Use continuing education courses specifically designed for engineers and other technical professionals.

IEEE Leading Technical Teams is a training program which recognizes the unique challenges that come with leading technical groups. It is designed for team leaders, managers, and directors of engineering and technology teams. Participants should have been in their role for a minimum of six months. The program equips technical leaders with tools to flourish, while unlocking their professional growth and success. Additionally, it inspires and motivates their teams to greater heights of innovation.

IEEE Leading Technical Teams consists of two components:

  • A “360° Leadership Practices Inventory” (LPI), which solicits confidential feedback on both the leader’s areas of strength. It also identifies opportunities for improvement from their team members, peers, and managers/supervisors.
  • A 6-hour, in-person training session, where attendees receive the results of their LPI. During the session, participants engage in targeted instructor-led exercises. They discuss case studies highlighting the unique challenges faced by technical leaders. They also learn solutions and best practices to apply to their specific situations. In addition, they are taught the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” and receive valuable peer coaching.

Learn more about IEEE Leading Technical Teams and how you can enroll for a future session, with in-person and virtual options available. 

IEEE has partnered with Rutgers Business School to offer the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA. Designed specifically for groups of ten or more within an organization, this program operates entirely online. It features topics including business strategy, managing product development, finance, negotiation, managing human capital, intellectual property strategy, and transformational agility.

To learn more about offering the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for your organization, in order to help your staff grow into leadership roles, contact an IEEE Account Manager today.

Resources

Singh, Yashvendra. (17 June 2022). 3 certification tips for IT leaders looking to get ahead. CIO.