AI Isn't Killing Tech Jobs: The Surprising Skills That Are Actually in High Demand

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The Real Story Behind Tech Hiring

Despite widespread fears about AI-related job losses, recent data reveals a much more optimistic picture. Two major surveys from ManpowerGroup and UpWork show that tech hiring remains surprisingly robust, with AI actually driving demand for both full-time positions and contract work.

Key Survey Findings

ManpowerGroup's Experis survey of 6,533 IT employers across 42 countries found that 48% of tech employers globally plan to hire this quarter. The US tech sector shows even stronger numbers, with 58% of employers planning to increase headcount - only 11% plan cutbacks.

While US tech hiring cooled slightly compared to last year (down just 2 percentage points from 60% to 58%), it remains "one of the labor market's bright spots" according to survey authors.

AI Driving the Demand

The data reveals that nearly one in four employers (24%) are hiring specifically to keep pace with digital advancements like AI. "The real challenge is the skills mismatch, and companies know they need to invest in the right talent to stay competitive," said Kye Mitchell, president of Experis US.

Major hiring challenges reported by employers include:

• Finding qualified talent (41%)
• Improving candidate experience (37%)
• Filling complex roles (36%)

Sector-Specific Hiring Trends

| Job Category | Q4 2025 | Q4 2024 | |-------------|---------|---------| | IT Services | 52% | 49% | | Software | 52% | 51% | | Technology Hardware | 47% | 55% | | Semiconductors | 34% | 45% |

Contract Work Boom

UpWork's latest hiring trends report shows businesses are increasingly turning to contract talent for AI-related work. The platform analyzed over a million US job posts, finding significant demand for roles that require "validation, deep context, and creative refinement to elevate AI outputs."

Most in-demand contract skills include:

• Translation & localization (+29%)
• Project management (+17% overall; +102% among small to medium businesses)
• Sales & marketing copywriting (+12%)
• Quality assurance testing (+9%)
• Digital marketing (+9%)

Top AI-Related Skills

The most sought-after AI skills in September 2025:

1. Python
2. Video editing
3. Graphic design
4. ChatGPT
5. AI-generated video (new)
6. Machine learning
7. Virtual assistance (new)
8. Content writing (new)
9. Data entry (new)
10. Adobe Illustrator (new)

Interestingly, data entry services - once thought to be disappearing - have seen a resurgence in demand. "This demand for foundational human skills shows that businesses' focus is shifting," said Teng Liu, economist for the Upwork Research Institute.

For job seekers with in-demand digital skills, this sustained hiring momentum creates significant opportunities - particularly in areas like AI implementation, cloud migration, and cybersecurity, where employers are prioritizing long-term transformation.