Tech Hiring Cools as AI and Human Skills Take Center Stage

Event summary

  • Global tech hiring outlook softens by 7 points quarter-over-quarter to 35% for Q3 2026, though still positive.
  • AI Modeling & App Development (34%) and AI Literacy (30%) are the most in-demand technical skills.
  • Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork (41%) tops the list of critical human skills.
  • Puerto Rico (68%), Brazil (53%), and the UK (51%) show strongest hiring outlooks.
  • 95% of employers are addressing talent shortages through upskilling, flexible work, and wage increases.

The big picture

The tech hiring market is shifting from rapid expansion to a more deliberate focus on skills, particularly AI capabilities and human expertise. This reflects a broader industry trend where talent, not just technology, is becoming the key differentiator in the AI era. Employers are increasingly prioritizing the ability to deploy AI effectively alongside strong human skills like communication and adaptability. The global outlook remains positive but cautious, with significant regional variations.

What we're watching

Skills Gap Dynamics
How the emphasis on AI and human skills will affect hiring strategies and workforce development.
Regional Disparities
Whether high-growth markets like Puerto Rico and Brazil can sustain their strong hiring outlooks.
Talent Retention
The pace at which employers adopt upskilling and flexible work policies to retain top talent.

Related topics

Technology