As artificial intelligence continues to redefine enterprise operations, companies are racing to secure top-tier talent in machine learning and AI research. A new global survey from EPAM Systems highlights the growing urgency among CIOs to fill highly specialized roles that are critical to scaling AI initiatives.
According to the report — based on responses from 7,300 C-suite leaders, IT executives, and developers across nine countries — organizations at the forefront of AI adoption are prioritizing the recruitment of machine learning engineers and AI researchers to sustain momentum.
🔍 Key Findings:
- Nearly 50% of advanced AI adopters plan to hire for AI-specific roles.
- Over 40% of IT leaders believe their teams must upskill to meet evolving AI demands.
- While two-thirds of respondents are familiar with AI deployment requirements, talent remains a bottleneck for execution.
“The success of AI depends not just on technology but on empowering the human expertise behind it,” said Sandra Loughlin, EPAM’s Chief Learning Scientist. “This revelation shows the urgency to upskill and cultivate AI-fluent cultures at scale.”
This talent gap isn’t just a one-off data point. Robert Half’s February report ranked AI and ML analysts at the top of their in-demand roles, with more than two-thirds of executives reporting a year-over-year increase in skill shortages.
Meanwhile, LinkedIn’s latest tech hiring data shows soaring demand for large language model (LLM) skills and enterprise AI strategy expertise — a clear signal that AI fluency is becoming a competitive differentiator.
As enterprises accelerate their AI roadmaps, the ability to attract, train, and retain AI talent may become the single most critical success factor.
