Despite AI-related job loss fears, tech hiring holds steady – and here are the most in-demand skills

Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most popular supply on Google.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Tech hiring for the subsequent quarter is regular in comparison with a yr in the past.
• AI could also be driving a lot of the persevering with demand for tech expertise.
• These calls for is perhaps driving an increase in contract work.

The standard knowledge is that synthetic intelligence is gutting our workforce, each technical and non-technical. To date, there’s little proof that the job apocalypse is happening. If something, the necessity for individuals to construct AI techniques and to maintain them sincere is preserving hiring for each full-time tech professionals and contract staff comparatively sturdy.

Two current surveys, from ManpowerGroup and UpWork, paint a comparatively optimistic image for tech-related hiring for each jobs and gigs for the previous month and the upcoming quarter. Manpower’s Experis group says the IT hiring image slipped by a few share factors, however nothing dramatic. UpWork says it’s monitoring an increase in demand for contracted abilities in mission administration and localization, possible related to synthetic intelligence tasks. AI abilities in demand embrace Python, video modifying, and graphic design.   

Additionally: Forensic vibers wished – and 10 different new job roles AI might create

Near half of tech employers globally, 48%, plan to rent this quarter (This fall), based on a survey of 6,533 IT employers throughout 42 nations by Experis. The US tech sector has one of many strongest hiring outlooks globally, with a majority of tech employers, 58%, planning to extend headcount throughout this quarter. Solely 11% indicated they plan to chop again.

Whereas US tech hiring cooled very barely in comparison with the identical interval final yr, it “stays one of many labor market’s brilliant spots,” based on the survey’s authors. US tech hiring stays comparatively regular, declining solely two share factors from 60% in This fall a yr in the past.

Need extra tales about AI? Join Innovation, our weekly publication.

AI work is driving the pattern — practically one in 4 employers (24%) say they’re hiring particularly to maintain tempo with digital developments comparable to AI, the Experis survey exhibits. “The actual problem is the abilities mismatch, and firms know they should spend money on the proper expertise to remain aggressive,” based on an announcement from Kye Mitchell, president of Experis US. 

The problem stays discovering certified expertise to fill rising know-how wants, as reported by 41% of tech and IT employers. Bettering the candidate expertise (37%) and filling complicated roles (36%) comply with shut behind.   

Notably, the research reveals a modest uptick in deliberate hiring in IT providers, rising from 49% to 52%, with software program hiring holding regular. There possible will probably be a stoop in hiring inside the semiconductor sector, from 45% to 34% planning to rent. 

 Plans for elevated hiring in This fall (in comparison with This fall plans one yr in the past)

For job seekers with in-demand digital abilities, this sustained hiring momentum creates vital alternatives — notably in areas like AI implementation, cloud migration, and cybersecurity, the place employers are prioritizing long-term transformation.

In terms of gig, contract, or freelance work, Upwork’s newest hiring tendencies report finds companies are tapping contract expertise to offer oversight and high quality assurance as they transfer deeper into AI. UpWork stories it drew information from the previous month, taking a look at greater than 1,000,000 US job posts on Upwork’s market. The postings replicate “vital demand throughout sorts of work that require validation, deep context, and inventive refinement to elevate AI outputs,” the report’s authors mentioned.

Additionally: No, AI is not stealing your tech job – it is simply remodeling it

Of explicit observe has been the red-hot demand for mission administration abilities seen amongst small to medium-sized companies. That is “a telltale signal of organizational adaptation underneath AI pressures,” mentioned Nicholas Bloom, a professor at Stanford College, pointing to the necessity for a “human infrastructure” to maintain AI in line.

The contract abilities which have been in demand embrace the next:

• Translation & localization +29%
• Venture administration +17% general; and +102% amongst small to medium companies
• Gross sales & advertising and marketing copywriting +12%
• High quality assurance testing +9%
• Digital advertising and marketing +9%
• Video & animation +8%  

UpWork additionally documented the highest in-demand AI-related abilities over the previous month, which embrace Python, video modifying, ChatGPT, AI-generated video, and digital help. Curiously, information entry providers — lengthy regarded as a vanishing want — have seen a resurgence in demand. “This demand for foundational human abilities exhibits that companies’ focus is shifting,” mentioned Teng Liu, economist for the Upwork Analysis Institute. 

Prime 10 Most In-Demand AI-Associated Expertise in September 2025:

1. Python
2. Video modifying
3. Graphic design
4. ChatGPT
5. AI-generated video (new)
6. Machine studying
7. Digital help (new)
8. Content material writing (new)
9. Information entry (new)
10. Adobe Illustrator (new)