Project management tops the list of Sweden's future skills development needs until 2031. The forecast from ServiceNow and Pearson points out that the AI transition not only requires more technical experts, but also stronger ability to lead change, coordinate working methods and translate new technology into practical business benefits.
The AI debate often revolves around the need for more developers, AI specialists and technical experts. But new Swedish data from ServiceNow and Pearson shows that Sweden's biggest future skill need is not a single coding or AI skill – but project management.
The forecast, which extends to 2031, also shows that several of Sweden's greatest skills needs are related to leadership, communication, problem solving, collaboration and stakeholder management. This indicates that the AI transition is not only a technical challenge, but also to a large extent an organizational one.
– Many organizations focus on which AI tools they will invest in, but the real challenge is to make the technology work in practice. The Swedish data shows that project management is a central bottleneck in the AI transition. Companies not only need more people who can build the technology, but also more people who can lead the change, build trust and translate AI into working ways, says Martin Lindahl, Sweden manager at ServiceNow.
In the Swedish forecast, project management tops the list of the greatest future skill needs by 2031, ahead of individual technical skills such as Python. Several other human and organizational skills are also in the top 10, including leadership, communication skills, problem solving, collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
At the same time, the report shows that technical skills are still growing the fastest in percentage terms. This means that the need for technical competence remains, but it needs to be complemented by the skills that allow AI and digital tools to be introduced, managed and used in practice.
– AI does not create value on its own. Value only arises when the technology is connected to workflows, data, governance and secure execution. Therefore, competencies such as project management, leadership and collaboration become crucial as companies move from AI pilots to real business value, says Martin Lindahl.
ServiceNow and Pearson’s forecast shows that the AI transformation is placing new demands on how organizations plan for talent. Rather than focusing solely on specialist technical roles, companies need to build the ability to align people, processes and technology. This makes execution one of the most important issues for organizations looking to succeed with AI.
About the report
Workforce Skills Forecast 2026 is a collaboration between ServiceNow and Pearson. The forecast analyzes how AI, digitalization and economic changes are affecting the jobs and skills of the future. This year's analysis covers 12 countries, 9 industries, approximately 5,600 roles and
9,000 skills, with forecasts until 2031
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