U.S. Tech Hiring Cools as Employers Shift Focus to Human Skills…

Event summary

U.S. tech Net Employment Outlook (NEO) fell to 37% for Q4 2026, down 10 points from Q3 and Q4 2025.
53% of U.S. tech employers plan to increase staffing in Q4, while 16% anticipate reductions.
Human skills like professionalism, critical thinking, and adaptability rank higher than AI literacy in employer priorities.
AI literacy (34%) and AI modeling/app development (33%) remain top technical skills in demand.

The big picture

The moderation in tech hiring reflects a strategic shift toward balancing AI capabilities with human skills, aligning with broader industry trends of digital transformation and workforce adaptation. ManpowerGroup's data suggests a deliberate, not reactive, approach to talent acquisition, emphasizing long-term sustainability over short-term hiring surges. The global tech average NEO of 37% indicates this trend is not isolated to the U.S., pointing to a potential global realignment in tech hiring priorities.

What we're watching

Skills Evolution: How the emphasis on human skills will affect tech workforce development and training strategies.
AI Integration: Whether the demand for AI literacy will sustain its growth alongside traditional technical skills.
Hiring Strategies: The pace at which employers adopt multi-faceted talent strategies, including internal development and expanded talent pools.