Two thirds of recruitment leaders noted hiring candidates with AI skills is more challenging than recruiting for other tech roles, with virtually all respondents saying finding candidates with both the soft and technical skills to thrive in tech is significantly more challenging.

The findings come from General Assembly’s State of Tech Talent report, revealing 68 per cent of enterprises have to offer higher salaries to candidates with AI skills, an increase from 64 per cent reported last year.

The survey was taken from 500 HR professionals worldwide, to better understand evolving AI skills and implement innovative reskilling and upskilling initiatives.

Additional findings note that over three quarters of tech hiring leaders are concerned that the procedures they’ve followed to hire skilled AI workers wasn’t sustainable to build a long-lasting, diverse pipeline of talent.

“Enterprise businesses are keen to secure AI talent but are overlooking the fundamental truth that AI is only as good as the data it learns from,” Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics said.

“Hiring challenges are becoming an increasing problem, but businesses should consider investing in upskilling their existing teams in data management, governance and quality to improve data readiness.”

“AI is only as effective as the data it processes and without structured, accurate and well-governed data, businesses risk AI systems that are flawed. The rush to deploy AI without a strong data foundation is a costly mistake and in a competitive AI landscape, only those who get their data right will be the ones who thrive.”

Six in ten organisations surveyed noted an increased need for AI skills has correlated with a heightened need for diversity initiatives, as building a diverse workforce from varying backgrounds is beneficial when implementing AI strategies. This is also an essential tenant of reducing bias in AI systems.

However, the study did reveal that the future of DEI is in question, as 24% of HR professionals surveyed say their companies have scaled back or eliminated their focus on DEI hiring in tech.

The appetite for skills-first hiring, however, has tripled in the past two years. 18% of HR professionals are increasingly likely to look first at certifications and non-degree education when hiring for remote software engineering, data analytics, data science, and UX design.

Beyond technical skills, soft skills also play a major factor in hiring, with 95% of respondents saying its now harder to source candidates with both technical and soft skills than three years ago.

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“Artificial Intelligence is already having a transformative impact on businesses, enabling efficiencies in areas like data analysis, fraud detection and forecasting which deliver tangible benefits to people and organisations,” Sachin Agrawal, managing director for Zoho UK.

“However, the path to broader AI adoption is not without challenges. The growing shortage of AI talent at executive level raises concerns around the future of AI including its ethical use which includes consideration of data privacy. This knowledge gap isn’t only a technical oversight, it is a serious risk.”

“As AI adoption accelerates, global collaboration will be required to equip the workforce with the skills to navigate an AI-driven future. Government, regulators, educators, and industry leaders must work together to establish comprehensive training frameworks that ensure workers at all levels, technical and non-technical, understand AI’s capabilities, risks, and ethical implications and can use it effectively in the right way.

“This includes integrating AI literacy into education systems, developing upskilling programs, and ensuring that AI proficiency is accessible to all, preventing skill gaps that could widen economic and social divides.”