AI Skills Now Top Global Talent Shortage
What happened
For the first time, Artificial Intelligence skills are the most in-demand capability for employers globally, overtaking engineering and traditional IT. ManpowerGroup's 2026 Talent Shortage Survey of 39,000 employers found that 72% of companies report difficulty filling roles due to the high demand for AI expertise.
Why it matters
- The most in-demand AI skills are not just theoretical; they are operational, including AI video generation and editing, which grew 329% year-over-year, and AI integration for existing systems, which saw 178% growth. - Globally, the talent shortage varies by country, with Japan (84%) and India (82%) reporting the most severe difficulties in finding qualified workers, while China reports the lowest at 48%. - The information industry reports the highest level of talent scarcity at 75%, followed closely by Hospitality and the Public Sector, both at 74%. - Companies are responding to the shortage by upskilling their current workforce (27% of employers), offering more schedule flexibility (20%), and increasing pay (19%). - Specific, high-demand roles with six-figure salaries include AI engineer, machine learning engineer, AI software developer, and prompt engineer. - This marks the first time that AI-related skills have surpassed traditional IT, data, and engineering skills as the most sought-after capabilities by employers globally. - While AI adoption could displace some jobs, Goldman Sachs research suggests the impact will be temporary, with new job opportunities arising from the technology. - A World Economic Forum report projects that while AI may displace 75 million jobs globally by 2025, it is expected to create 133 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 58 million jobs.
Key numbers
- ManpowerGroup's 2026 Talent Shortage Survey of 39,000 employers found that 72% of companies report difficulty filling roles due to the high demand for AI expertise.
- - The most in-demand AI skills are not just theoretical; they are operational, including AI video generation and editing, which grew 329% year-over-year, and AI integration for existing systems, which saw 178% growth.
- Globally, the talent shortage varies by country, with Japan (84%) and India (82%) reporting the most severe difficulties in finding qualified workers, while China reports the lowest at 48%.
- The information industry reports the highest level of talent scarcity at 75%, followed closely by Hospitality and the Public Sector, both at 74%.
What happens next
- While AI adoption could displace some jobs, Goldman Sachs research suggests the impact will be temporary, with new job opportunities arising from the technology.
- A World Economic Forum report projects that while AI may displace 75 million jobs globally by 2025, it is expected to create 133 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 58 million jobs.
Quick answers
What happened in AI Skills Now Top Global Talent Shortage?
For the first time, Artificial Intelligence skills are the most in-demand capability for employers globally, overtaking engineering and traditional IT. ManpowerGroup's 2026 Talent Shortage Survey of 39,000 employers found that 72% of companies report difficulty filling roles due to the high demand for AI expertise.
Why does AI Skills Now Top Global Talent Shortage matter?
The most in-demand AI skills are not just theoretical; they are operational, including AI video generation and editing, which grew 329% year-over-year, and AI integration for existing systems, which saw 178% growth. Globally, the talent shortage varies by country, with Japan (84%) and India (82%) reporting the most severe difficulties in finding qualified workers, while China reports the lowest at 48%. The information industry reports the highest level of talent scarcity at 75%, followed closely by Hospitality and the Public Sector, both at 74%. Companies are responding to the shortage by upskilling their current workforce (27% of employers), offering more schedule flexibility (20%), and increasing pay (19%). Specific, high-demand roles with six-figure salaries include AI engineer, machine learning engineer, AI software developer, and prompt engineer. This marks the first time that AI-related skills have surpassed traditional IT, data, and engineering skills as the most sought-after capabilities by employers globally. While AI adoption could displace some jobs, Goldman Sachs research suggests the impact will be temporary, with new job opportunities arising from the technology. A World Economic Forum report projects that while AI may displace 75 million jobs globally by 2025, it is expected to create 133 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 58 million jobs.
