The role of human capital in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies

Abstract

The article examines the fundamental role of human capital as a key factor in the successful development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Based on the analysis of empirical research and theoretical concepts, it is shown that a high level of education and qualifications is a prerequisite for the diffusion of AI technologies, explaining up to a third of the differences in the pace of their implementation between countries and industries. At the same time, the deep paradox of the current moment is revealed: rapid automation generates redundancy of personnel in traditional roles, while the shortage of specialists with critical AI competencies reaches 40-60% or more. The article substantiates that bridging this gap requires not targeted measures, but a systemic transformation of approaches to personnel management – the transition from role models to skill models, large-scale retraining and redesign of workplaces in the logic of human-machine cooperation.