The rapid spread of digitalisation and artificial intelligence , along with advances in mobile Internet and cloud technology are impacting the way work is done. Rica Bhattacharyya looks atto stay ahead of the curve.1.Research improvements to machine learning algorithms will be one of the hot skills of the future. Desirable for this is a PhD in a related field.2.This includes program management and test, and refers to developing the systems and infrastructure that can apply machine learning to an input data set. This is just like any other software engineering position . “You can get these jobs with a bachelor’s in arelated field (e.g. computer science), though it’s good to have some understanding of machine learning and AI, and good math skills,” said Rituparna Chakraborty, executive vice president at TeamLease Services.3.Interaction design is a process in which designers focus on creating engaging web interfaces with logical and well-thought-out behaviour and actions. Successful interactive design uses technology and principles of good communication to create desired user experiences, said Francis Padamadan, country director, Kelly-OCG India. Companies hire interaction designer to make sure their digital applications work and function in the hands of users. The designer needs to be adept in rapidly prototyping and evaluating multiple interface alternatives.4.This involves applying a machine learning or AI framework to a specific problem in a different domain. For example, applying machine learning to gesture recognition, ad analysis or fraud detection. If you are already working in the target area, you can do this with a little guidance from someone familiar with the framework you wants to use.5.This refers to someone who is developing end-to-end applications from front end to business logic to back end. To be more specific, it means that the developer can work with databases, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and everything in between, along with venturing as far as converting Photoshop designs to front-end code. “A full-stack developer doesn’t need to master all the areas and technologies he needs to work it, because that just makes it nearly impossible. He just needs to be comfortable working with those technologies,” said Padamadan. This skill is in demand in IT product companies.6.3D printing relies heavily on designers who can take a product idea and translate it into something that can feasibly be brought to life. Thanks to its growth, 3D printing will create jobs for 3D designers at 3D printing firms, in companies as part of creative teams and as freelancers, said Chakraborty.7. Content engineering is the practice of organising the shape, structure and application of content, said Padamadan. Content engineering is broken down into five primary disciplines: model, metadata, markup, schema and taxonomy. The content strategist plans for the creation, publication and governance of useful, usable content. Strategy targets the ‘who, what, when, where and why’ of content experiences and assets.8.The future workface will need to develop the ability to work with data and make data-based decisions. Employers are already looking to build a workforce with solid skills in data analysis and presentation (e.g. through visualisation) and the amount of potentially useful digital information generated and stored keeps increasing exponentially, said Vishalli Dongrie, partner and head, people and change at KPMG in India.9.As new businesses and offerings are developed at a rapid pace, humans will be needed to build, lead, maintain and market them. Jobs that are the least susceptible to computerisation would be those dependent on social intelligence, decision making abilities and innovation, said Dongrie. Creativity will become one of the key skills employees will need to develop. Leaders will have to develop the ability to encourage radical, often unconventional thinking and build mechanisms to reward and recognise innovative thinking, said Dongrie.10.Building people skills in terms of people management, coordinating with others, collaboration, etc. will also be instrumental in maintaining your social and emotional intelligence, thus harnessing human capabilities and knowledge of human heuristics that robots will be unable to emulate.