CNBC · 12 Oct, 04:24 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

TikTok CEO sees major scientific breakthroughs from AI within three years

Shou Zi Chew, Chief Executive Officer of TikTok, recently predicted that artificial intelligence will yield significant scientific breakthroughs within the next three years.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Shou Zi Chew, Chief Executive Officer of TikTok, recently predicted that artificial intelligence will yield significant scientific breakthroughs within the next three years. Speaking to CNBC, he emphasised the rapid acceleration of AI capabilities and their potential to transform research methodologies across various disciplines. This forecast suggests a near-term shift in how scientific discovery is conducted, moving beyond incremental improvements to fundamental advancements driven by machine learning models. For professionals, this signals an imminent integration of advanced AI tools into research and development workflows, requiring a proactive approach to understanding these emerging technologies.

Employer demand for Artificial Intelligence skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt your skillset to leverage these imminent technological shifts. Technical literacy in AI systems is no longer optional; it is a critical differentiator. Focus on developing competencies in data interpretation and algorithmic understanding, as these skills will rise in value across all sectors. If you work in research, healthcare, or engineering, you should immediately explore how AI can accelerate your specific workflows. Do not wait for organisational mandates. Proactively experiment with generative AI tools to enhance productivity and decision-making. Upskill in prompt engineering and data analytics to remain competitive. Professionals who integrate AI into their daily routines will lead innovation, while those who ignore it risk obsolescence. Start by identifying one repetitive task in your role that AI could optimise this week.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, AI Strategy and Innovation — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.