How Learners Are Future-Proofing Their Careers With AI and Cloud

With many careers already lost to technological advancements, it’s no surprise that people are concerned about AI. In recent years, robotics and automation have replaced many repetitive manual labor jobs in manufacturing industries. Retail cashiers have also seen a steep decline in numbers as self-checkout and online shopping have grown in popularity. 

Fortunately, many roles still require a distinctly human touch. While AI may be good at mimicking people for now, it’s not foolproof, and it requires human involvement and management.

One of the safest ways to future-proof your career is to embrace technological trends and develop skills that support them. AI and cloud computing are essential parts of the technology industry and require plenty of human input to function as intended.

No matter where you are in your career journey, whether you’re already working in tech or exploring new possibilities, building skills in these areas can open doors and help you stay ahead.

What Does It Mean to Have a Future-Proof Career?

Future-proof careers are likely to remain in demand for the next several years. They can typically adapt to changes in the job market and endure technological advancements without becoming obsolete. These roles typically provide an essential service that can’t easily be replaced, although the skills necessary to perform the job may change with time.

Even if you currently work in a future-proof industry, such as technology or health care, the need for continuous learning remains. Industry trends and advancements constantly change, and if you don’t keep up with them, you’ll be left behind. You must be willing to continue learning and adapt to changes in the market or available technology to truly benefit from these career paths.

If you’re not in a field considered future-proof, you still have options. Developing future-proof skills can keep you ahead of the curve. For example, someone working in customer service might worry that AI chatbots will take over their role since they already provide basic 24/7 customer assistance on many service-based websites. 

But when someone builds skills that let them harness AI to their advantage, they open the door to growth instead of getting left behind. For example, they might pivot into using generative AI to craft compelling marketing copy for a company.

While no skill can guarantee job security, future-ready capabilities can help you stand out in a competitive market. Here are a few areas worth exploring:

• Soft skills
• Agile management
• Leadership
• Data analysis with AI
• Generative AI for content creation
• Cloud computing

Top Future-Proof Careers in AI and Cloud

Careers in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing are expected to stay in demand for years to come. Even as these technologies evolve, they still rely on human insight to guide, manage, and apply them effectively. Building a career in developing or working alongside these tools helps you stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Roles like cloud engineer, DevOps specialist, and platform infrastructure lead will continue to grow, and we’ll likely see more hybrid roles, too. For instance, as more companies adopt AI, the need for AI-savvy product managers is on the rise.

We offer many courses that can help future-proof careers in the tech industry, including:

• Machine Learning A-Z: Explore machine learning through Python and R, and learn how to choose the right ML models for various problems.
• AI for Business Leaders: Discover how AI can be implemented in businesses to keep them competitive.
• Deep Learning A-Z: Learn how various neural networks function and how to apply them in real-world scenarios.
• Introduction to Cloud Computing on AWS for Beginners: Learn the basics of cloud computing and AWS and develop advanced skills.
• GCP for Beginners: Develop hands-on skills to build applications on Google Cloud Platform.

In-Demand Skills to Stay Competitive

To remain competitive in the current market, consider developing skills that are projected to be in high demand in the coming years. Take a Future Skills course or brush up on these business-relevant trends:

• Cloud computing platforms: These platforms allow companies to keep their computing resources off-site. Develop skills in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform, which are three of the most widely used in the field.
• AI/ML foundations: Developing an ability to understand AI and ML foundations helps you integrate into a number of fields. Strengthen skills in Python, data science, TensorFlow, and automation.
• Business-relevant skills: Explore skills relevant to your specific field or career path. For example, if you want to be a leader, consider agile project management, which can teach you to develop streamlined, data-driven, and continuous learning-oriented processes for managing teams. Other business-relevant skills could include strategy, data analysis, or generative AI.

Advice on Getting Started with AI and Cloud From Bryan Krausen (IT Consultant, Udemy Instructor)

For careers in AI, learners need to understand the fundamentals of large language models (LLMs), as these models form the foundation for many popular AI tools. While LLMs represent one aspect of the broader AI concept, comprehending how LLMs operate—and how to train them using diverse datasets—is essential for creating and enhancing these tools. I always encourage my students to master the basics before tackling more complex topics. While this approach may take a bit longer, students will be better prepared and enabled to design comprehensive solutions more effectively than those who skip the fundamentals.

When discussing cloud-related topics, I always recommend that students begin with one cloud provider and understand how to apply the general concepts of cloud computing on that platform. Each cloud provider is unique and offers organizations the ability to leverage Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to scale rapidly beyond traditional capabilities. Once you’d mastered one cloud platform, you can move to the next. It’s important to view “cloud” as an operational model rather than simply a location where workloads are deployed and managed.

Technology Trends

Over the next three to five years, AI and cloud advancements will continue to transform the job market. Expected trends include:

• AI-enhanced cloud services. Expect to see cloud services strengthened by AI. As it integrates into cloud platforms, it can perform automated tasks, such as resource optimization and infrastructure management, with little need for human intervention.
• Generative AI in tandem with cloud development. Generative AI can help developers manage and optimize their cloud infrastructure. Developers will need to understand both processes to use them effectively.
• AI security. As AI becomes more capable, it can drive security solutions to respond to threats in real time. It can identify vulnerabilities before they’re exploited by routinely monitoring security logs and other data.

Exploring related skills, such as AI engineering, can help future-proof your role and provide you with valuable, applicable skills. 

How Learners Are Using Udemy to Build Future-Proof Careers

The self-paced flexibility of our courses allows you to learn and gain real-world project experience at your own pace, rather than on a strict schedule. Many certification prep programs also help those looking to prepare for certification exams.

Numerous people have attributed Udemy to their success. For example, Bryce Johnson transformed his career by taking a $10 Udemy course—Colt Steele’s Web Developer Bootcamp—learning coding skills in JavaScript, Python, and AWS, which helped him land a higher-paying full-stack developer role and eventually evolve into a successful Web3 gamer and content creator earning significantly more than his previous IT sales job.

Alex Domini, another Udemy success story, leveraged Udemy to quickly bridge his skill gap, learning cloud-based Node.js development along with essential tools like Kubernetes, Docker, and Git—enabling him to successfully deliver multiple projects for Telus Digital across North America

Businesses also recognize the future-proofing power of Udemy’s courses. Matthew Wells, Global Head of Career Development at Nasdaq, partnered with Udemy Business to help employees rapidly upskill in AI and emotional intelligence, enabling the successful launch of the company’s “Leading with AI” program and supporting a company-wide transformation toward a future-ready workforce.

Getting Started: How to Choose the Right Course Path

Careful planning helps you create the right course path on Udemy. With so many courses and careers to choose from, you have total control over your education. 

Ensure your goals align with the courses you take. Do you want to change careers completely? Start with beginner-level skills and learn core competencies in the field.

If you want to upskill, look at ways AI and the cloud support your current field and take courses centered on integrating emerging technological trends. For promotions, consider courses focused on leadership and how to use AI and cloud technology to better guide a team.

Long-term versatility comes from embracing new technologies with curiosity, not fear. Learning AI now, while it’s still developing, allows you to grow with the technology. 

The same holds true about cloud learning. Cloud technology has become a staple for businesses to avoid having server rooms large enough to physically store all necessary data. Learning to work within these systems by developing skills in AWS, Azure, and other cloud computing platforms helps you achieve proficiency that can support your career.

While it may be tempting to dive into every interesting course out there, having a plan helps you connect the dots and build real momentum.

Expert Insights on AI, Cloud, and Future Proofing Your Career with Bryan Krausen (IT Consultant, Udemy Instructor)

Q: How do you identify which AI and cloud-related topics are most valuable for learners looking to future-proof their careers?

I use various sources to identify topics that I should learn about or stay updated on. Tech-related social media platforms can be a goldmine for discovering which technologies to watch, and, in fact, it’s something I attribute to my own success. In the fast-paced world of AI, today’s announcement is often overshadowed by next week’s news, so I find it valuable to spend time each day scrolling through the latest updates. Social media typically reaches audiences much faster than traditional media, but it’s essential not to overlook articles, podcasts, industry conferences, and recorded content on these subjects. Watch what technologies or solutions are being implemented by large organizations and technology-focused organizations like Udemy.

Q: Are there common starting points or foundational concepts you see learners struggle with when beginning AI or cloud coursework?

Learning the technology is often the easy part—applying it within their project or organization is where new learners often struggle. Gaining opportunities to practice what they’ve learned in a safe environment is crucial for solidifying the concepts acquired from any course. It’s one thing to see the concept on a slide deck or watch a demo, but the real learning comes from applying the knowledge directly. There is no substitute for learning how to manage, troubleshoot, and improve deployments directly in a test or lab environment.

Q: What gaps in traditional education or training does Udemy, and your courses fill when it comes to preparing for future-proof careers?

Traditional education typically lags behind modern solutions and announcements, often focusing on well-known, established methods. In contrast, Udemy adds thousands of courses each month, frequently covering the latest technologies. The open marketplace concept employed by Udemy also encourages instructors to keep courses updated with current changes, ensuring that students receive the most up-to-date content. Udemy instructors also get constant feedback from students, allowing them to understand where and how to improve the content quickly. That’s not something you get with traditional education or training.

The future belongs to those who choose to grow alongside technology rather than fear it, and with the right AI and cloud skills, you can transform potential disruption into career opportunity. Start your learning journey today.