Just what is an ‘IT worker’ now? The definition is changing

Not so long ago, the definition of an IT worker was pretty simple: they were largely confined to central roles related to hardware, network infrastructure, and software development in centralized IT departments.

But what constitutes an IT worker has evolved in recent years; now, it can just as easily mean technologists embedded in virtually every division of a company with greatly expanded responsibilities and skills.

IT is now a key driver of business strategy, with workers collaborating directly with business leaders on digital transformations, product development, data-driven decision-making, improved customer experiences — even business operations. Cybersecurity is now a core focus, with tech pros handling risk management and safeguarding digital assets. The rise of no-code/low-code tools has shifted some developer tasks to non-technical staff, though IT workers still must focus on integrating and maintaining those systems. AI and automation are increasingly part of IT life, with workers overseeing and optimizing generative AI-driven tools.

And the evolution isn’t over yet.

“The definition of an IT professional is going to change, from people working on networks and systems to more customer-facing tasks,” said David Foote, chief analyst at business consultancy Foote Partners, which gathers data from about 4,500 companies on hiring, pay, re-skilling and other statistics.

Organizations seeking IT workers can no longer simply focus on traditional IT roles. Businesses are now hiring tech talent across various departments, from finance to sales and marketing and beyond, Foote said.

Reflecting the changes afoot, Foote Partners recently created a new IT description for tracking purposes — the “business technologist” — and has been researching what they do and how much they earn. “These technologists have an ability to think about the long-term strategically and then make decisions that are put into play to determine what technology would be purchased by companies,” Foote said.

The business technologist’s decisions can lead to everything from spending cuts to programs designed to boost revenue, improve customer satisfaction or raise market share, Foote said.

Among other tidbits of data, Foote Partners saw growth in jobs related to web search portals and computing infrastructure, and a big decline in technology consulting. “Many consulting firms, including our clients, are turning to AI for tasks like analysis, reducing the need for human workers,” Foote said. “This suggests consulting businesses are reshuffling their workforce, aiming to do more with fewer employees.”

*GenAI reshuffles the deck — especially for developers*

Arnal Dayartna, a research vice president at IDC, said AI and generative AI (genAI) have redefined the role of software developers by shifting their focus to managing AI tools like copilots that assist in coding, testing, documenting, and optimizing.

Developers now must be able to evaluate AI-generated suggestions, choosing the best ones for the task at hand. The shift requires new skills, including understanding where AI excels and where human input is needed. Just as with text generation, genAI tools can boost productivity but have limitations developers have to navigate for seamless integration into their day-to-day jobs.

“Using genAI to assist them, developers may write code faster — up to 60% quicker — but they still need to acquire new skills for the other 40% of their time,” Dayartna said. “In the long run, as AI tools evolve over the next six to seven years, developers’ roles may shift towards more product management responsibilities. This includes understanding business needs and communicating those to AI tools, while still overseeing these tools to ensure quality.”

To stay competitive, Dayartna said, developers should begin tackling new skills now — and organizations need to provide access to the latest genAI tools to help their employees maximize productivity. Without those tools, developers (and other tech-focused workers) will fall behind those working in AI-forward companies. Both individual upskilling and organizational support are essential for success.

GenAI, which exploded on the tech scene in late 2022, is now being used to