Global AI Skills Index: Creating an Open Benchmark for Tracking National AI Upskilling Readiness

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming global labor markets, creating an urgent demand for new digital competencies and workforce readiness strategies. Yet, no unified framework currently exists to measure how prepared countries are to upskill their populations for an AI-driven economy. This study introduces the Global AI Skills Index (GASI), a comprehensive benchmarking tool designed to evaluate national AI upskilling readiness across education, labor, and inclusion dimensions. Using datasets from the OECD, UNESCO, ILO, World Bank, and LinkedIn spanning 2018 to 2023, the research employs a comparative, cross-national approach to construct a weighted composite index. Four indicators form the foundation of GASI: AI Job Demand Density, Education–Industry Alignment, AI Skills Penetration Rate, and Equity and Access Index. These metrics collectively assess how effectively nations integrate AI competencies within their education systems, labor markets, and institutional frameworks. Results reveal significant regional disparities. High-income countries such as the United States, Singapore, and Finland show strong AI integration in education and employment, while emerging economies in Africa and South Asia lag due to infrastructural and policy constraints. A positive relationship between education expenditure and AI job demand highlights the central role of investment in human capital. The Global AI Skills Index provides a transparent, evidence-based benchmark for comparing national AI readiness. It serves as a strategic tool for policymakers and educators to track progress, address inequality, and design inclusive pathways for sustainable, AI-enabled workforce development.