Artificial intelligence (AI) may be driving record productivity gains, but a widening talent gap is threatening to stall corporate growth.
A new survey released Thursday by Infragistics, the shortage of skilled professionals — specifically in AI, cybersecurity, and data science — is now the single greatest challenge facing global IT leaders, dispelling the growing narrative that AI is a job killer.
Instead, the Real IT Talent survey of 250 senior executives suggests AI is a massive engine for job creation. Nearly half of organizations (48%) have added new roles due to AI adoption, while only 18% reported layoffs related to the technology.
However, the rapid shift has created a supply-and-demand crisis. While 91% of organizations are prioritizing AI-skilled hires this year, 39% identify AI engineers as the hardest role to fill, narrowly edging out cybersecurity engineers (38%).
“Organizations are discovering that adopting AI is easier than finding people who know how to build, deploy, and secure it,” said Casey Ciniello, senior product manager at Infragistics.
“What’s happening isn’t simple job replacement — it’s a shift in where value sits. It’s about combining technical depth with real-world application,” Ciniello said in an email. “Degrees in computer science, data science, and engineering are strong foundations, but the highest-value talent is emerging from hybrid skill sets — like AI paired with healthcare, cybersecurity with policy, or data analytics with business strategy. The net effect isn’t simple job replacement — it’s job transformation, where growth is concentrated in roles that combine technical expertise with problem-solving, oversight, and strategic thinking.”
The talent chasm is not limited to specialized AI labs. The survey highlights a broad spectrum of in-demand roles and technical skills.
The hierarchy of recruitment challenges is led by AI engineers, who are cited by 39% of organizations as the most difficult role to fill, closely followed by cybersecurity engineers at 38%. Cloud engineers and data analysts also present significant hiring hurdles, at 25% and 24%, respectively. On the skills front, Python dominates as the most sought-after technical proficiency, with 56% citing demand, followed by AI and machine learning at 47%, Java at 34%, and specialized cybersecurity expertise at 33%.
The shortage is already impacting the bottom line: 80% of leaders report that talent deficits are hindering daily operations, and 47% of large enterprises admit these gaps are directly preventing them from meeting strategic business goals.
Still, entry-level candidates may find the 2026 market challenging. The survey indicates a stark preference for seasoned professionals; while 30% of firms plan to hire this year, 70% are prioritizing senior-level talent. Only 12% of organizations expressed a primary focus on hiring junior or entry-level talent.
A so-called “seniority surge” is driven by the complexity of modern systems. Companies aren’t just looking for programmers; they need architects capable of managing cloud infrastructure, ensuring ethical AI governance, and mitigating privacy risks.
Beyond core development, the demand for data analysts and business intelligence (BI) developers is surging as analytics become embedded directly into everyday applications. With 84% of organizations planning to increase their focus on analytics this year, the ability to translate data into actionable insights has become a non-negotiable asset.
As digital transformation accelerates, the 2026 outlook is clear: the most successful professionals won’t just be those who can code, but those who can bridge the gap between complex AI systems and secure, ethical business solutions.
