Companies across industries are intensifying their search for artificial intelligence talent as rapid adoption of generative AI technologies reshapes global workforce demands and challenges the traditional value of university degrees, a new workforce study has found.
The report, released in May by AI humanisation platform GoHumanize, found that expertise in large language models has become the most valuable AI skill in the labour market, with average annual salaries nearing $200,000 amid surging corporate demand for workers capable of building and managing generative AI systems.
The findings underscore how businesses are reorganising hiring priorities around practical AI capabilities as companies accelerate investments in automation, intelligent software, and AI-powered customer services.
According to the study, LLM-related skills generated nearly 57,000 active job listings globally, while average salaries reached approximately $198,900 annually. The category includes expertise in models such as GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and Llama, spanning tasks ranging from AI integration to fine-tuning and deployment at enterprise scale.
The race for AI talent reflects a broader shift underway across labour markets, where employers are increasingly prioritising specialised digital capabilities over formal academic credentials.
“There is a common belief that you need a computer science degree to work in AI. The data tells a different story,” the founder of GoHumanize said in comments accompanying the report.
The study examined 55 artificial intelligence skills across technical and strategic disciplines, ranking them according to active job demand and average salary levels across entry, mid, and senior positions.
Deep learning ranked second in overall demand, recording more than 67,000 job openings globally, the largest volume among all skills analysed with average salaries of about $179,000 annually. Computer vision, which supports applications such as facial recognition and autonomous driving systems, is followed by average pay exceeding $183,000.
The report also highlighted the growing importance of strategic non-engineering roles in the AI economy. AI product management emerged among the highest-paying capabilities, with average compensation reaching roughly $195,000 annually as companies seek professionals capable of translating AI technologies into commercial products and business strategy.
Meanwhile, demand for emerging specialisations such as agentic AI systems and multi-agent frameworks is rising sharply as businesses experiment with autonomous software capable of executing tasks with limited human supervision.
Skills related to AI agents attracted more than 42,000 active job listings, with average salaries above $197,000, the report showed.
The findings come as technology groups, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and manufacturing companies increasingly compete for a limited pool of AI specialists, contributing to mounting wage pressure across the sector.
The rapid evolution of hiring trends is also reshaping discussions around education and workforce development. While traditional computer science degrees remain valuable, employers are placing greater emphasis on demonstrable technical capability, open-source contributions, and practical project experience.
The report noted that several of the highest-paying AI skills, including LLM fine-tuning and AI product management, can increasingly be acquired through online learning platforms, independent research, and open-source communities rather than conventional university pathways.
