INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY

SKILLS

South Africa ranked second among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered by the report and 73rd globally on the new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The index measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human capabilities required to apply them effectively, while taking into account each country ' s broader AI readiness.

The findings come as South Africa seeks to strengthen the relationship between skills development and employment. A World Bank analysis identified persistent recruitment challenges in software development, networking and cybersecurity, despite high unemployment.

The analysis also found that nearly half of job advertisements sought transferable skills such as communication and problem-solving, highlighting the importance of combining technical expertise with human capabilities.

Now in its eighth edition, Coursera ' s Global Skills Report draws on a subset of learning data from more than 300 million learners across Coursera and Udemy. It combines insights into AI and human skills development with national readiness data from Oxford Insights ' Government AI Readiness Index.

In South Africa, trending AI learning themes included generative AI, data and analytics, agentic AI and AI agents. Other prominent areas included model-specific and assistant-specific skills, AI development frameworks and infrastructure.

Enrolments in AI security courses increased by 236 %, while agentic workflows recorded growth of 195 % and generative AI enrolments rose by 161 %. The report also highlighted growing demand for human skills that enable learners to evaluate AI-generated outputs, communicate insights and make informed decisions.

Trending areas included communication and presentation, stakeholder alignment and influence, planning and prioritisation, emotional intelligence and empathy, and critical thinking and judgement.

Alongside the 132 % increase in critical thinking enrolments, complex problemsolving grew by 28 % year on year, while innovation-related enrolments increased by 19 %.

The report examined how learners combine AI and human skills compared with global learning patterns. In South Africa, learners increasingly paired AI and machine learning foundations with communication and presentation skills, as well as critical thinking and judgement.

Data and analytics skills were also frequently combined with communication and presentation capabilities.

According to the report, these combinations can help professionals explain AI concepts and results, evaluate model assumptions and limitations, and communicate analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

The findings also pointed to growing interest in micro-credentials as employers increasingly seek evidence of jobrelevant capabilities.

Micro-credentials enable learners to demonstrate specific competencies through

Kais Zribi, Coursera’ s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa

assessment, complementing traditional qualifications and practical experience.

Coursera reported that overall microcredential enrolments in South Africa increased by 31 % year on year, while AIrelated micro-credential enrolments grew by 74 %.

The report highlighted the importance of developing AI expertise alongside critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills to help South Africa build a workforce capable of supporting AI adoption and meeting evolving employer requirements.

Kais Zribi, Coursera’ s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said:“ South Africa’ s growing participation in AI and human skills learning provides a strong foundation for workforce development. The opportunity is to connect that commitment to learning with the capabilities employers need and clearer routes into work. Employers and educational institutions can help by aligning learning with specific roles, creating opportunities for practical experience, and recognising skills demonstrated through assessment. Strengthening those connections can help more South Africans turn their learning into career opportunities and contribute to productivity as businesses adopt AI.” •

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