AI Talent Demand: 2025 Regional Insights

AI jobs now make up 19% of all tech roles, doubling since 2022. Despite a 68% rise in global AI job postings, companies face a 50% hiring gap due to a lack of qualified professionals. Here's what you need to know:

• Top Regions:

  • The U.S. leads with 2.43 million AI professionals, followed by India with 2.35 million (growing 55% YoY).
  • Brazil sees the fastest growth, up 68% YoY.
  • Europe focuses on ethical AI, with 39.8% growth in Poland's AI job postings.

• In-Demand Roles:

  • Machine Learning Engineers, Generative AI Engineers, and AI Product Managers are highly sought after.
  • Newer roles like MLOps Engineer and AI Ethicist are emerging.

• Skills Needed:

  • Proficiency in Python, TensorFlow, and large language models is critical.
  • Employers also value AI ethics and cybersecurity expertise.

• Challenges:

  • Hiring an AI professional in the U.S. takes 142 days on average and costs up to $265,000/year, while offshore hiring can save up to 75%.
  • Only 320,000 qualified AI developers are available globally, leaving 4.2 million roles unfilled.

• Solutions:

  • Companies are turning to emerging markets like India, Poland, and Latin America for affordable, skilled talent.
  • Platforms like Get Software Developer provide cost-efficient access to pre-vetted AI/ML engineers.

AI hiring is evolving rapidly. To stay competitive, businesses must embrace global talent pools and prioritize skills-based hiring.

Unlocking AI Talent: The 2025 AI Hiring Benchmarking Report

AI Talent Market by Region

The global AI talent landscape is evolving rapidly, with notable regional differences expected by 2025. Worldwide, the pool of AI professionals has grown by an impressive 67.34% year-over-year, highlighting how deeply AI is being integrated across industries [2].

North America's AI Job Market

In North America, the AI workforce has seen a significant boost, with new job postings driving a 35% increase in the U.S. AI workforce, reaching 2.43 million professionals. This accounts for 29.4% of all new AI job openings globally [2] [4]. The region continues to dominate venture capital funding, securing 59% of global investments in 2024 [10] [11].

AI expertise is highly valued here, with workers possessing these skills earning an 18% salary premium, intensifying competition among employers [8]. While North America maintains its leadership, the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a formidable player in the AI talent market.

Asia-Pacific AI Talent Growth

The Asia-Pacific region has become a strong contender in the global AI landscape, with India leading the charge through a remarkable 55% year-over-year growth in AI talent [2]. According to CBRE, the eight largest global tech talent markets are now concentrated in this region [10] [11].

"The talent pool in Asia Pacific is deep, with a lot of AI-related professionals concentrated in China and India. Ongoing AI developments and innovation will drive economic growth, and fuel tech talent employment growth and real estate demand in the region."

• Ada Choi, Head of Research, Asia Pacific, for CBRE [10] [11]

Asia-Pacific also leads in AI adoption, with 53% of regional leaders using AI agents to fully automate business processes - the highest rate globally [7]. Furthermore, 52% of employees in the region view AI as a thought partner, compared to 47% who see it as a command-based tool [7].

European AI Hiring Landscape

Europe is carving out its niche in the AI market, with the European Commission forecasting 12% annual growth in the digital economy through 2025. AI is expected to contribute €2.7 trillion to the region's GDP [12]. Europe's focus on ethical AI development and regulatory compliance sets it apart, aligning with global trends toward responsible technology adoption [5].

Poland has emerged as a key AI hub, with a 39.8% year-over-year increase in AI job postings [4]. Since 2019, specialized AI roles have grown by 21% annually [3]. By 2025, it is estimated that 60% of jobs in Europe will have at least 30% of their tasks either automated or augmented by AI [6]. While local venture capital plays a vital role in early-stage funding, growth-stage investments in European AI companies are largely driven by U.S. investors [5].

In-Demand AI Positions for 2025

The demand for AI professionals is skyrocketing. In 2024, global job postings for AI roles jumped by 61%, but a staggering 50% hiring gap remains due to a shortage of qualified experts [13]. Companies are increasingly looking for "AI-enabled" roles, where knowledge of artificial intelligence is becoming a must-have skill across various industries.

Most Requested AI Jobs

The title of Machine Learning Engineer is leading the pack as the most sought-after position in 2025 [4]. During the first quarter of the year, job openings for AI/Machine Learning Engineers grew by 13.1% compared to the previous quarter and surged 41.8% from the same time last year [15]. Other high-demand roles include Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, and Generative AI Engineer [4].

Data Scientist positions are also on the rise, with a 4.2% quarterly growth and a 10% increase year-over-year [15]. Meanwhile, newer specializations like MLOps Engineer, AI Reliability Engineer, AI Product Manager, and AI Ethicist are quickly gaining traction [13]. In 2024, 25% of all new tech job ads required AI skills, doubling from 2022 [13]. Specifically, U.S. job postings mentioning generative AI soared from 16,000 in 2023 to over 66,000 in 2024 [13].

Globally, there are now over 200,000 AI/ML job postings, with industries like healthcare, management consulting, and research integrating AI technologies at a rapid pace [9][14][4].

Required AI Skills

The need for AI expertise is growing 3.5 times faster than other skill areas, with AI literacy leading the charge [16][17]. Proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, Java, and C++ is crucial, as 70% of AI projects rely on Python frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and Keras [18].

One standout skill is the ability to develop and work with large language models, including expertise in generative AI and natural language processing. Senior roles demand a solid understanding of neural network architectures and deep learning techniques. Additionally, data-related skills are critical - ranging from data modeling and engineering to working with SQL/NoSQL databases, preprocessing, and feature engineering.

As businesses scale their AI operations, familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, as well as tools like MLOps and Kubernetes, is becoming indispensable.

Ethics is also a growing focus. Companies are prioritizing professionals who can ensure fairness, accountability, and bias mitigation in AI systems. With AI-driven cybercrime expected to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 [18], cybersecurity expertise is now a vital part of the AI toolkit.

Soft skills, such as clear communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, are equally important. These abilities help professionals explain complex AI concepts to diverse audiences. As companies shift toward skills-based hiring, hands-on experience with practical AI applications is often valued more highly than formal degrees.

"It's not just about gaining knowledge of emerging AI technologies - it's about building the confidence to embrace change. In a world where tech constantly evolves, courses like this help you stay tuned to what's next, adapt quickly, and keep growing." – Bharat Rajora, an alumnus of Udacity's AI Product Manager Nanodegree Program [17]

For businesses looking to build AI teams efficiently, platforms like Get Software Developer provide access to pre-vetted AI/ML engineers from emerging markets. This approach helps reduce hiring costs and time-to-hire without compromising on quality.

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AI Recruitment Obstacles

The rapid growth of the AI market has brought with it a host of recruitment challenges. Hiring AI professionals has become more complex than simply posting job openings. Companies are grappling with skyrocketing costs and prolonged hiring timelines, leading many to completely overhaul their recruitment strategies. Let’s dive into the regional cost pressures and the global talent shortage that are reshaping AI hiring.

Local Hiring Expenses

The cost of hiring AI talent in the United States has reached staggering levels. For example, senior AI engineers now earn an average of $265,000 annually, while computer vision experts command up to $285,000. Recruitment fees average $85,000 per hire, and signing bonuses can exceed $175,000 [21]. And these figures only scratch the surface - they don’t account for the total investment required.

Adding to the financial strain is the extended time needed to hire AI developers. While general software developers are typically hired within 52 days, AI developers take an average of 142 days to onboard [21]. This delay not only increases recruitment costs but also pushes back project timelines, leading to missed opportunities and weakened competitive positioning.

Then there’s the challenge of keeping skills up to date. AI technologies evolve so quickly that expertise becomes outdated within just 15 months. To stay competitive, companies must invest heavily in training and upskilling their teams [21]. This means budgeting not only for hiring but also for ongoing education to ensure their AI professionals remain at the cutting edge.

The financial pressure isn’t limited to the U.S. In China, for instance, algorithm engineers earn an average monthly salary of 31,512 yuan ($4,386), which rises to 38,489 yuan for those with over five years of experience. These salaries far exceed the average pay in urban areas, underscoring the premium placed on AI expertise [19].

AI Talent Shortage

The global shortage of AI professionals is even more daunting. With 4.2 million AI positions unfilled and only 320,000 qualified developers available, a staggering 87% of organizations report difficulties in hiring AI talent [21].

"AI is at the forefront of corporate transformation, but without the right talent, businesses will struggle to move from ambition to implementation."

• Sarah Elk, Americas Head of AI, Insights, and Solutions at Bain & Company [20]

This talent gap isn’t expected to close anytime soon. Bain & Company predicts that by 2027, half of AI jobs in the U.S. could remain unfilled, while Germany could face an even steeper challenge, with 70% of AI roles left vacant [20]. Part of the issue lies in academia - universities are producing 40% fewer AI-ready graduates than the market demands [21].

Geographic concentration further complicates the problem. A full 65% of AI talent is clustered in just five metropolitan areas, leaving other regions with limited access to skilled professionals [21]. Meanwhile, major tech companies like FAANG dominate recruitment, hiring 70% of top AI graduates directly from universities, leaving smaller firms to compete for the remaining talent pool [21].

Industries are feeling the pinch differently. FinTech companies report a 94% talent shortage, HealthTech struggles with 89%, E-commerce faces 91%, and even Manufacturing experiences a 76% shortfall [21].

Role	US Annual Cost	Offshore Annual Cost	Potential Savings
Senior AI Engineer	$265,000	$95,000	64%
ML Ops Specialist	$235,000	$85,000	64%
Computer Vision Expert	$285,000	$98,000	66%
AI Product Manager	$210,000	$75,000	64%

The lack of diversity in the AI workforce only adds to the challenge. Women make up just 30.5% of the global AI workforce [13], further narrowing the talent pool. This disparity not only limits hiring options but also affects the perspectives and quality of AI solutions being developed.

Given these challenges, traditional recruitment methods are proving ineffective. Companies are increasingly turning to alternative strategies, such as building offshore development teams or tapping into emerging markets. These approaches can offer cost savings of 65–75% compared to hiring U.S.-based developers [21]. The urgency to adopt smarter, more efficient hiring practices has never been greater.

AI Team Growth Methods

As traditional hiring practices struggle to keep up with the demand for AI talent, companies are turning to global strategies to fill the gap. By expanding their search beyond domestic markets, businesses can tap into a wealth of skilled professionals worldwide. Here's how this shift is reshaping AI team-building.

Emerging Markets AI Talent

Emerging markets are becoming key players in addressing the AI talent shortage. Countries like India, Poland, Argentina, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Colombia are rapidly establishing themselves as hubs for AI expertise. For example, India boasts 2.35 million AI professionals, with the talent pool growing at an impressive 55% annually [14].

One of the biggest advantages of hiring from these regions is cost efficiency. Companies can save between 46% and 75% compared to hiring U.S.-based talent [21][22]. Additionally, while recruitment in the U.S. can be a lengthy process, teams sourced from emerging markets can become operational in just weeks [21].

Latin America, in particular, offers unique advantages for U.S. companies. AI engineers in this region typically earn between $42,000 and $96,000 annually, compared to $88,000 to $176,715 for their U.S. counterparts [22]. Beyond cost savings, Latin America offers similar time zones, strong English proficiency, and alignment with U.S. business practices, making collaboration seamless.

The rise of skills-based hiring is further fueling this trend. A growing number of companies - 75% to be exact - now prioritize practical skills over formal degrees, with over 40% focusing entirely on demonstrated abilities during recruitment [23]. This shift allows businesses to identify candidates with proven, hands-on experience in AI development.

To effectively recruit from emerging markets, companies should seek candidates with tangible project experience. Platforms like GitHub and Kaggle provide a window into applicants' practical skills and problem-solving abilities, enabling businesses to make informed hiring decisions. Streamlined, modern recruitment tools are essential to harness this talent pool effectively.

Get Software Developer Platform Benefits

Get Software Developer offers a subscription-based solution to the challenges of AI recruitment, connecting companies with pre-vetted AI/ML engineers from emerging markets. For a $200 monthly subscription, businesses gain unlimited access to a curated pool of skilled professionals, eliminating the high costs and unpredictability of traditional hiring methods.

The platform's advanced filters allow companies to quickly match candidates based on technical expertise, seniority, and time-zone compatibility. Real-time communication tools enable direct interviews and trial tasks, ensuring both technical proficiency and alignment with team dynamics.

To keep pace with evolving AI technologies, the platform continuously vets and re-assesses its talent pool. Its scalable, on-demand model lets companies adjust team sizes as project needs shift, without long-term commitments. Additionally, a centralized dashboard simplifies candidate tracking, contract management, and performance reviews, making it easier to manage distributed AI teams efficiently.

Conclusion

By 2025, the landscape of AI hiring has transformed significantly. AI roles now account for 19% of all tech positions, driven by traditional industries embracing AI and creating opportunities across various sectors.

Yet, the numbers reveal a stark contrast between demand and supply. While India's AI talent pool has grown by 55% annually to reach 2.35 million professionals, and Brazil has seen a 68% increase, there remains a gap of 4.2 million unfilled AI roles. With only 320,000 qualified developers available, this talent shortage is costing companies an average of $2.8 million annually due to delays in critical initiatives [2][21].

"The integration of AI into business is only accelerating, making AI skills one of the most valuable assets in the job market today." – Abhinav Rathi, ISB [1]

To address these challenges, companies are rethinking their hiring strategies. Tapping into emerging markets has become a game-changer, allowing businesses to cut costs by 65–75% while accessing highly skilled professionals who are ready to start in just weeks - far shorter than the usual 142-day hiring process [21]. Moreover, the shift toward skills-based hiring, which prioritizes practical expertise over traditional qualifications, is unlocking new talent pools that were previously overlooked [14].

Platforms like Get Software Developer are stepping up to meet this demand. For $200 per month, businesses gain access to pre-vetted AI/ML engineers from emerging markets, along with tools for advanced filtering and real-time communication. This subscription model eliminates hiring bottlenecks and reduces unpredictable costs, offering a streamlined solution for companies navigating the AI talent shortage.

As the year unfolds, companies that adapt their hiring strategies to embrace global talent pools will position themselves for success. Emerging markets are brimming with skilled professionals who bring both technical know-how and cost advantages. Leveraging platforms like Get Software Developer can turn the AI talent gap into a strategic advantage.

FAQs

::: faq

How can companies overcome the AI talent shortage while keeping hiring costs low?

To meet the rising demand for AI professionals while keeping hiring costs in check, businesses can tap into global talent pools. Platforms like Get Software Developer make this easier by connecting companies with pre-vetted AI/ML engineers, full-stack developers, and other tech experts from emerging markets.

This approach helps cut staffing costs and speeds up the hiring process, all without sacrificing quality. Sourcing talent from different regions also gives companies an edge in a competitive market where AI expertise is highly sought after. :::

::: faq

How is the demand for AI professionals in Europe influenced by the focus on ethical AI development?

The focus on ethical AI development in Europe is reshaping the job market for AI professionals. With new regulations and policy frameworks slated to roll out in 2025, the demand for experts in AI ethics, bias detection, and responsible AI systems is on the rise. This shift underscores the growing priority of creating AI technologies that are both human-centered and ethically sound.

As a result, roles like AI ethicists and security specialists are becoming increasingly critical. The demand for these professionals is expected to far exceed the available talent pool. Companies are now actively seeking experts who can navigate these new standards, fueling a surge in specialized AI roles across the region. :::

::: faq

What are the advantages of skills-based hiring when building AI teams in emerging markets?

Skills-based hiring brings major benefits for companies assembling AI teams in emerging markets. By focusing on practical expertise and relevant experience instead of traditional degrees, this approach broadens the talent pool and encourages diversity. It opens the door to candidates from various backgrounds, enriching the team with fresh perspectives and driving creativity.

On top of that, leveraging AI-powered assessments improves the hiring process by making it more accurate and efficient. These tools help match the right candidates to the right roles, which is especially valuable in markets where AI talent is scarce. This strategy not only shortens the time it takes to fill positions but also ensures businesses secure skilled professionals capable of delivering exceptional results, even in highly competitive environments. :::