The rise of artificial intelligence jobs in the US job market

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential element of today’s job market, with recent findings from LinkedIn identifying the 25 fastest-growing jobs in the United States, notably highlighting AI-related roles that are in increasingly high demand. Among these positions, both Artificial Intelligence Engineer and Artificial Intelligence Consultant claimed the top two spots.

The role of an Artificial Intelligence Engineer is at the forefront, predominantly focused on designing, developing, and applying AI models and algorithms aimed at enhancing business processes and resolving complex issues. Individuals in this role typically handle skills such as Large Language Models (LLM), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and the use of PyTorch, which is an open-source library for the Python programming language. LinkedIn’s data suggests that candidates should have approximately three to four years of experience prior to entering this role. The technology and internet sectors, IT services and consulting, along with computers and electronics manufacturing, represent the most common industries seeking AI engineers. San Francisco, New York, and Boston are identified as the cities offering the most opportunities, with a notable 35% of these positions allowing full remote work and 27% offering a hybrid model.

Following closely behind in second place is the role of an Artificial Intelligence Consultant. These professionals are instrumental in guiding organisations through the adoption and integration of AI technologies to attain their business objectives and enhance operational efficiency. The primary skills sought for this position include LLMs, prompt engineering, and Python programming, with an average of around 4.5 years of related experience recommended. The demand for AI consultants spans similar industries as their engineering counterparts, with many opportunities also located in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, DC. Flexible working arrangements are prevalent in this field, as 28% of the positions offer remote work options while 40% adopt a hybrid approach.

Ranking at number twelve is the role of an Artificial Intelligence Researcher. This position focuses on advancing or developing new AI technologies and processes through rigorous research, testing, and algorithm creation, with requisite skills in deep learning, PyTorch, and LLMs. Participants in this field typically possess at least three years of experience. The technology sector, along with higher education and research services, shows significant demand for AI researchers, with opportunities concentrated in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle. Opportunities for flexible work exist, with around 11% of positions offering remote capabilities and 18.5% adopting hybrid models.

The list also highlights that AI has implications beyond technical roles, demonstrating this through the inclusion of the Workforce Development Manager position, which secured fourth place. This role involves designing training programmes aimed at helping employees acquire new skills, including AI-related competencies, to align with organisational needs. Individuals in this role are expected to have approximately five years of prior experience and should possess skills in program management, development, and community outreach. The industries seeking Workforce Development Managers include non-profits, staffing and recruiting, and business consulting services, with most opportunities found in Los Angeles, Columbus, Ohio, and Seattle. Around 11.5% of these jobs are remote, while 42% operate in a hybrid format.

Industry experts suggest that the rapid growth of AI-related jobs reflects a shift in hiring practices. Chris Picariello, CEO of Keystone Talent Group, stated, “Fascinating to see AI & ML Engineers at #1, but what’s more interesting is the underlying thread across these roles – they’re all focused on either building AI or working alongside it,” when speaking to ZDNet. Picariello further noted that, “as a recruiter, I’m seeing this firsthand: companies aren’t just hiring for technical skills anymore, but for people who can bridge the gap between AI and human insight.” He emphasized that the focus is not on AI replacing jobs but rather on professionals wielding AI to enhance human capabilities, asserting that those who adapt to this hybrid approach will likely succeed in the future job market.

The findings from LinkedIn derive from job postings made by its users between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2024, focusing on roles that have demonstrated significant growth alongside a substantial number of postings over the preceding year. This data underscores the integration of AI across various industries and the essential skills required to navigate a landscape increasingly influenced by automation and technological advancement.

Source: Noah Wire Services