Ramsey County at Work: A Transformation of Technology and Talent

Ramsey County has long been a critical, regional employment hub in Minnesota’s economy, home to major employers, a wide range of industries and leading through evolving technological advancements. Today, a fierce acceleration in workplace automation is emerging as a central trend reshaping how work gets done, what skills are needed, and how workers and employers succeed in Ramsey County, bringing expectations and opportunities into sharp focus. 

Ramsey County Workforce Solutions hosted Erin Olson, Senior Director of Strategic Research at RealTime Talent earlier this year for a webinar titled, Top Trends to Watch in Ramsey County’s Workforce Landscape which underscored the significance of automation in the local workplace.

New dimensions of work through automation

Automation brings transformative enhancements at multiple levels, where tools and systems boost individual productivity and streamline daily tasks. This evolution is particularly evident in manufacturing, where automation is transforming production processes, increasing efficiency, and redefining workforce demands. For Ramsey County manufacturers, these changes mean balancing cutting edge automation with a continued need for skilled workers to manage, maintain and innovate alongside new technologies. 

• Tactical efficiency: Automating repetitive processes enables faster product development and execution.
• Improved decision‑making: Analytics and AI deliver sharper insights, empowering leaders to act quickly and with data-driven confidence.
• Personalized training: Adaptive learning platforms deliver customized onboarding and upskilling for each learner, making development faster and more effective.
• Hyperautomation: Advanced systems now automate entire workflows, not just single tasks.

Dual demand: tech‑savvy and human skills

According to insights from the World Economic Forum, individuals are now twice as likely to acquire AI skills as part of their employment, compared to 2018. Even in traditionally low‑technology roles, the likelihood of adding AI competencies has grown sevenfold.

In this new environment, more than half of hiring managers in Ramsey County say they would not hire someone without AI literacy skills. At the same time, employers are recognizing AI has limitations. Postings for roles traditionally requiring "low human skills" are 20% more likely to mention human skills than in 2018, emphasizing a continued need for human-centered abilities.

Surge in AI‑centric roles

Automation is no longer an abstract concept, as it has been woven into the very fabric of local workforce environments, where jobs demanding AI skills dominate the market. In Ramsey County alone, automation has transformed the expectations of whole professional pathways from historical requirements, such as:

• Software Developers
• AI Solutions Architects
• Management Analysts
• Computer and Information Research Analysts
• Project Management Specialists 

Region‑specific patterns

Automation’s influence isn’t evenly distributed. In Saint Paul, the demand for AI‑related jobs rose by 37%, while the surrounding suburbs saw flat growth. This contrast likely reflects urban concentrations of tech-driven industries and infrastructure that accelerate digital transformation. Job titles that require AI skills are currently in demand in Ramsey County, including:

• AI Fact Checker for Psychology
• Health AI and Data Scientist
• AI Modeling for Ag and Earth Systems Post-Doc
• Biomedical Informatics and Machine Learning
• Director of Real-World Evidence

Implications for Ramsey County’s workforce

Automation presents both challenge and opportunity for Ramsey County’s workforce. To stay competitive, local employers, educators, and workforce programs must focus on four strategies:

• Upskilling: Equip talent with digital skills, AI literacy and industry-specific tech knowledge to match market needs.
• Reliance on human skill: Develop communication, adaptability, empathy, and critical thinking alongside technological competence.
• Equity: Ensure inclusive access to training and expand outreach so all residents can participate in and benefit from this automation-driven shift.
• Adaptability: Support flexibility and lifelong learning to help workers navigate shifting industries and work environments.

Challenge and opportunity

Automation is here, actively transforming how jobs are structured, what skills are valued, and who succeeds. For Ramsey County, the path forward is clear: blend automation with human strengths, foster equitable access to AI‑augmented careers, and embrace a future where adaptability and purpose go hand in hand with technology.

Workforce Solutions can offer assistance to employers and job seekers. Email us at employerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us today! Explore workforce demographics in Ramsey County here and sign up for the Workforce Innovation Board, Youth Works!, and Job Seeker newsletters to learn more about workforce shifts in Ramsey County.