How to Highlight AI Skills on a CV in 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the professional world at an unprecedented pace, and its influence is only set to grow. According to the latest insights from the report "Four Futures for Jobs in the New Economy: AI and Talent in 2030", AI is not just transforming industries but also redefining the skills employers value most. The report highlights that demand for AI literacy has surged by 70% between 2024 and 2025, making it a critical skill for jobseekers aiming to stay competitive.

Whether you're automating workflows, analysing data, or collaborating with AI systems, showcasing your AI skills on a CV is no longer optional – it’s essential. Employers are actively seeking candidates who can bridge the gap between human expertise and AI capabilities, ensuring ethical, efficient, and innovative outcomes.

The UK is currently facing an AI skills gap, so how can you take action to stay ahead of the competition? If you're a jobseeker, especially in tech-savvy fields or industries adopting AI solutions, showcasing AI skills on your CV is increasingly essential.

For some roles, it's even expected to see AI expertise listed. The question is: how do you effectively highlight your AI skills? Whether you're enhancing marketing campaigns with AI-driven analytics or using AI tools to optimise workflows, these technical and soft skills can set you apart and demonstrate real value to employers.

In this article, we cover:

• Essential AI skills.

• Examples of AI skills for different job types.

• Commonly asked questions about listing AI skills on a CV.

• AI skills for entry-level roles.

8 essential AI skills to list on your CV

AI is no longer a niche skill reserved for tech professionals; it’s influencing nearly every industry. Companies across healthcare, finance, marketing, customer service, and even law sectors rely on AI tools to optimise efficiency. This demand means employers actively seek candidates skilled in AI or those with familiarity and a proactive approach to incorporating AI into their work.

• AI prompting: Writing clear, goal-oriented prompts and refining them iteratively.

• AI tool proficiency: Using general business tools like ChatGPT or field-specific tools like Microsoft Copilot, Canva, and Jasper AI.

• AI literacy: Understanding AI capabilities, limitations, ethics, and basic concepts.

• Automation and integration: Automating tasks and integrating AI into workflows.

• Data handling: Cleaning, organising, and analysing data with AI tools.

• AI-enhanced creativity: Using AI for content creation, brainstorming, and design.

• Adaptability: Quickly learning and experimenting with new AI tools.

• Human-AI collaboration: Working alongside AI and providing feedback for better results. 

Ensure your CV follows a modern CV format to be compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS).

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The workplace of the future is not about replacing people with AI; it's about collaboration. The strongest teams leverage the power of AI tools to amplify human potential.

For example:

• Marketing teams use AI for automated content generation and predictive campaign analytics.

• Customer service departments use AI-powered chatbots to improve response times, while humans focus on complex customer queries.

• Tech teams deploy AI in cybersecurity frameworks to detect and prevent threats efficiently. 

Are you curious if AI will replace or transform your job? While nothing is guaranteed, one thing is clear: times are changing, and adapting is essential. The evolving partnership between humans and AI requires professionals to embrace these tools while staying creative and strategic.

Learn more about the most in-demand AI jobs in the UK!

Examples of AI skills 

AI is reshaping industries and changing the skills in demand. To stay competitive, tailor your CV to showcase abilities relevant to AI's impact on your field. Highlight technical skills like data analysis, programming, or machine learning, and soft skills such as adaptability and problem-solving.

For example, marketers can showcase expertise in AI tools like predictive analytics, while healthcare professionals might highlight experience with AI in diagnostics. Aligning your CV with AI trends demonstrates your readiness for this evolving landscape.

1. Healthcare

The healthcare industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of AI technologies. AI is reshaping how care is delivered, from predictive analytics and personalised treatments to automated diagnostics and virtual health assistants. These advancements are not only improving patient outcomes but also streamlining workflows for medical professionals, making the sector more efficient and innovative than ever before.

• Utilised AI-powered electronic health records (EHR) systems to streamline patient data management.

• Conducted research on AI applications in personalised medicine and treatment planning.

• Leveraged AI chatbots for patient engagement and appointment scheduling.

Learn more about how to write a healthcare CV or check out similar writing guides.

• Medical CV

• Support worker CV

• Care assistant CV.

2. Finance

AI in the finance industry is transforming how businesses operate and make decisions. From automating routine tasks like data entry and reconciliation to advanced applications like fraud detection, predictive analytics, and algorithmic trading, AI enables faster, more accurate decision-making. For finance professionals, whether you're a banker, financial analyst, or investment banker, staying updated on AI advancements is critical to staying competitive. Understanding and leveraging these tools can improve efficiency, reduce risks, and uncover valuable insights, ensuring success in an increasingly tech-driven financial landscape.

• Proficiency in machine learning models for risk assessment and fraud detection.

• Experience using AI to analyse financial datasets and provide strategic insights.

• Skilled in developing predictive models to optimise business operations and improve decision-making processes.

Discover the key to creating an impressive finance CV.

3. Customer service 

AI in the customer service space helps automate routine tasks, improve response times, and enhance customer experiences. However, humans remain essential for handling complex issues and building meaningful connections. To stay competitive in this evolving field, it's crucial to develop strong customer service skills while also learning how to effectively use AI tools to complement your work.

• Knowledge of AI chatbots and virtual assistants for handling customer interactions.

• Ability to optimise chatbot responses based on customer feedback.

• Experience in analysing chatbot performance metrics to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Refer to our customer service CV guide and improve your CV with AI skills to stand out.

4. Legal

AI in the legal industry helps professionals work smarter and more efficiently. From automating routine tasks like contract review and legal research to improving accuracy in document analysis, AI allows legal professionals to save time and focus on higher-value work. Leveraging AI in the legal field is essential for staying competitive, reducing costs, and delivering better outcomes for clients.

• Expertise in using AI tools to review contracts or conduct legal research.

• Skills in leveraging AI for predictive analysis in case outcomes.

• Proficiency in using AI to automate document drafting and standardise legal templates.

Embrace AI for tasks like legal research and contract analysis but stay sharp on critical thinking and interpretation, where human judgment still leads. Create a CV by personalising our lawyer CV example.

5. Marketing

Traditional marketing is being reshaped by AI and changing how businesses connect with their audiences. From automating content creation and running personalised campaigns to conducting in-depth analyses, AI is enhancing efficiency and precision in ways never seen before. It’s revolutionising the way marketers strategise, helping them deliver more impactful results while saving time and resources.

• Familiarity with AI tools for automating email marketing workflows.

• Experience in predictive advertising for targeted campaigns.

• Proven success in using AI-powered analytics to optimise social media ad performance, increasing engagement by 35%.

Whether you're a writer or work in social media, check out our CV writing guides below:

• Writer CV

• Social media CV

• Marketing CV

Emerging AI Skills for 2026

As AI continues to evolve, new skills are emerging that are critical for professionals to stay competitive in the job market. Among these, algorithmic transparency and explainable AI are becoming increasingly important. These skills not only demonstrate technical expertise but also show a commitment to ethical AI practices, which are highly valued by employers.

What are algorithmic transparency and explainable AI?

• Algorithmic transparency: The ability to ensure that AI systems operate in a clear and understandable manner, making it easier for stakeholders to trust and validate their outputs.

• Explainable AI (XAI): The practice of designing AI models that provide clear, human-readable explanations for their decisions, helping users understand how and why specific outcomes are generated.

Why these skills matter:

• Build trust: Employers and clients are more likely to adopt AI solutions when they can trust the processes behind them.

• Ensure compliance: With increasing regulations around AI ethics and governance, these skills help organisations meet legal and ethical standards.

• Improve decision-making: Transparent and explainable AI models enable better insights, leading to more informed and reliable decisions.

AI skills for entry-level roles

You don’t need to be a coding wizard to land an entry-level role in the AI field. Many of these positions focus on using AI tools rather than building them, making them accessible to individuals with foundational AI knowledge and strong transferable skills. Employers are looking for candidates who can leverage AI to enhance workflows, analyse data, and solve real-world problems.

Top AI skills for entry-level success:

1. AI Literacy: A basic understanding of how AI works, its capabilities, and its ethical considerations.

2. Data Handling: Skills in organising, cleaning, and analysing data using AI-powered platforms.

3. AI Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or ChatGPT to support everyday tasks.

4. Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn and integrate new AI tools into workflows.

5. Problem-Solving: Using AI to address challenges, optimize processes, and improve outcomes.

Why these skills are essential:

• Practical Impact: Entry-level roles often involve applying AI tools to streamline operations and generate actionable insights.

• Transferable Value: Skills like critical thinking, communication, and adaptability complement AI proficiency and make you a well-rounded candidate.

• Career Momentum: Building a strong foundation in AI literacy and tool usage can set you up for rapid growth into more advanced roles.

How to make these skills shine on your CV:

• Be specific about the tools you’ve used and the results you’ve achieved.

• Highlight transferable skills that enhance your ability to work with AI.

• Showcase measurable outcomes to demonstrate the impact of your AI skills.

Example for CV:

• "Utilised AI tools like Tableau to create dynamic data visualisations, improving decision-making processes and reducing reporting time by 25%."

By emphasising these accessible yet impactful skills, you can position yourself as a forward-thinking candidate ready to thrive in an AI-driven workplace. Entry-level roles are your opportunity to build expertise and make your mark in the evolving world of AI.

5 ways to list AI skills on a CV

Showcasing AI skills to recruiters requires more than just mentioning 'AI' on your CV. It’s about presenting them strategically, as a good CV highlights your strengths, aligns with the role, and makes a strong first impression, increasing your chances of standing out.

1. Personal profile

Begin with a concise overview of your background, highlighting your AI expertise. For example, “Tech-savvy marketing professional with expertise in AI-driven campaign strategies and predictive analytics.” 

For more information, refer to our guide on how to write a personal profile. 

2. Work experience

Be specific about where and how you’ve used AI. Quantify your achievements where possible. Example: “Streamlined customer service operations by implementing an AI chatbot, resulting in a 25% reduction in response times.” 

Social Media Manager, BrightWave Agency, London, UK | 2023 - Present

Manage and schedule daily content posting, ensuring consistency in branding and messaging across all channels. Utilise AI tools to optimise posting times, generate content ideas, and enhance engagement. Monitor social media trends, competitor strategies, and AI-driven insights to inform content creation and campaigns. Analyse performance metrics using AI-powered analytics platforms, and generate detailed reports to measure campaign success and identify areas for improvement.

• Developed and deployed an AI-driven campaign optimisation tool, resulting in a 50% increase in follower count and a 20% boost in website traffic.

• Implemented machine learning algorithms to analyse social media performance, optimise content strategies, and identify emerging trends, driving consistent growth and enhanced audience engagement.

Refer to our work experience on a CV guide for more information.

3. Skills

Incorporate AI skills or create a dedicated section to showcase essential AI skills. Arrange these in a clear, bullet-point format, such as:

Examples of AI tools for marketing professionals include:

• AI email marketing: Tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign use AI to optimise email campaigns, personalise content, and improve delivery times.

• AI social media creation: Platforms like Canvas Magic Design or Buffer's AI assistant help create social media posts, captions, and visuals.

• Content generation: Tools like Jasper or Copy.ai help write blogs, ads, and other marketing materials.

• SEO optimisation: SEMrush and Clearscope use AI to analyse keywords and improve search rankings.

• Customer insights: Tools like HubSpot and Salesforce analyse customer data to improve targeting and engagement.

• Chatbots: Solutions like Intercom or Drift offer AI-powered chatbots for customer support and lead generation. 

Learn more about what skills to put on a CV.

4. Education and courses

Highlight any AI-focused training or certifications you’ve completed, such as online courses, diploma programs, or workshops. If you want to expand your skills, consider starting a course like on MasterClass, which includes creating better prompts and other essential AI techniques. 

Refer to the guides below for more information:

• Education section on a CV.

• Courses and certificates on a CV.

Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or considering a career change, check out our guide on how to write a CV with no experience that can be used alongside this article.

Key takeaways

• AI knowledge is a must-have skill in today's changing landscape.

• Highlight how you've used AI tools to achieve concrete results.

• Customise your CV with the right AI skills to align with the specific industry you're targeting.

• Showcase both technical AI skills and complementary soft skills that employers value.

• Position yourself as an adaptable and innovative professional in the AI-driven job market.

Next steps?

Whether you're seeking a job in AI or want to highlight your AI skills, having a CV and good cover letter is essential. Our intuitive AI CV Maker and Cover Letter Builder and over 160 CV examples allow you to easily tailor your documents to your needs. Alternatively, you can use our CV Writing Services, where one of our experts can help you craft the perfect application.

FAQs 

What are AI soft skills? 

Key AI skills like adaptability, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking are vital in any role involving AI. Adaptability helps professionals adjust to evolving technologies, while creativity fosters innovative uses of AI across industries. Problem-solving addresses challenges such as biases or data issues, and collaboration promotes effective teamwork between diverse roles. Critical thinking ensures that AI outputs are evaluated for accuracy, ethics, and reliability.

How do I make my CV AI-friendly? 

Make your CV stand out for AI roles by including relevant AI keywords, showcasing your experience with AI tools, and illustrating how AI has improved your work. Check out our AI CV writing guide for more tips on making the most of AI.

What are the best AI skills to add to your CV? 

The top AI skills to highlight can vary depending on the job role. For data scientists, expertise in machine learning, AI programming languages like Python or R, and data analysis is crucial. For software engineers, skills in building AI models, automation tools, and programming frameworks are essential. If you're applying for industry-specific roles, showcasing experience in integrating AI solutions within that field can give you a competitive edge.