what you need to know.
Drawing from a survey of 1,100 senior technology leaders across 11 global markets and analysis of over 20 million job postings, our research uncovers how employers are buying, borrowing, and building talent to stay ahead in the AI era.
key findings.
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surge in employer demand.- +1,300% surge in employer demand for AI agent skills.
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salary premium.- 79% salary premium commanded by junior GenAI talent.
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skills over degrees.- 73% of job postings prioritizing practical skills over degrees.
pressing workforce questions answered.
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is AI replacing tech workers?
No. Across global markets, AI is expanding tech demand, with 86% of organizations growing their tech headcount. While routine coding and basic IT tasks are becoming automated, enterprise demand has shifted rapidly toward orchestrating AI workflows and integrating tools across business functions.
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which skills are facing the steepest shortages?
Employers face their most acute bottlenecks in AI risk governance and human capabilities. Demand for risk governance roles doubled (+108%), while 61% of employers report that finding talent with communication, critical thinking, and stakeholder management skills is harder than sourcing pure technical coders.
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how are organizations bridging AI skills gaps?
63% of organizations identify flexible talent models—including contingent, contractor, and fractional specialists—as their primary strategy. Enterprises are also moving toward skills-first hiring, valuing market-validated micro-credentials and vendor certifications on par with traditional degrees.
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why is the AI gender gap a critical workforce risk?
Women account for only 31% of professionals with emerging AI skills, down from 36% in legacy tech roles. Leaving a substantial portion of the potential talent pool behind restricts an already scarce labor supply and increases the risk of algorithmic bias in AI deployment.
download the 2026 tech talent report.
Gain actionable insights from 1,100 senior technology leaders and secondary analysis of over 20 million job postings across 11 global markets. Download the full report to benchmark your talent strategy and build an AI-ready workforce.
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