To leverage emerging technologies, meet the demands of AI, and optimize their budgets, companies are increasingly recruiting for specialized skills rather than general tech talent.
In our recent e-book “The tech talent evolution,” made in collaboration with recruitment platform Arc.dev, we uncovered the five fields where demand for specialized skills is growing the most quickly. Here we take a closer look at those fields alongside Arc.dev’s Director of Recruiting, Jeff Lam.
We uncover why these skills are so in demand and how this could impact hiring in 2025. We also take a look at how companies can adapt to attract and source the tech talent they need to stay ahead.
Which tech skills are the most in-demand?
The five specialized areas we explore below have seen the largest demand on Arc.dev’s platform in the last two years. You can more about this data in our recent e-book.
1. Generative AI
Data from Arc.dev’s remote career platform shows that demand for roles in generative AI has grown by 13x in the last two years. And, with so many use cases across industries, it’s easy to see why companies are keen to secure Gen AI skills.
“As more companies adopt this technology, those without it risk falling behind,” Lam says, “It has the potential to drive operational efficiency, innovation, and customer personalization at scale.”
Some of the specific areas where organizations are leveraging specialized Generative AI skills include:
- Handling data insights.
- Creating content.
- Enhancing automation.
- Designing product experiences.
2. Machine learning
Demand for machine learning skills has grown by 250% in the past two years on Arc.dev’s platform. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and transforms workflows, machine learning becomes more critical, enabling smarter, more efficient automation.
“Machine learning enables systems to learn and adapt from vast data sets,” Lam explains, “It’s essential for building algorithms that can process, analyze, and predict patterns, improving decision-making and operational capabilities.”
Specialized machine learning skills empower companies to refine the customer experience by:
- Enhancing customer support.
- Predicting customer needs.
- Improving product quality.
- Optimizing marketing efforts.
3. Data science
As industries collect more data than ever before, data science becomes increasingly critical. “With skilled data scientists, companies can transform raw data into valuable insights, anticipate trends, mitigate risks, and gain a competitive edge,” Lam explains. “Data science is at the core of informed decision-making, customer insights, and strategic forecasting.”
With this in mind, it makes sense that the demand for data science is increasing. Arc.dev’s data shows that roles have increased by 80% in the past two years.
4. DevOps
DevOps culture, which seeks to bridge the gap between the once siloed development and operations teams, is on the rise; companies are increasingly looking for team members who can collaborate effectively, automate complex workflows, and support continuous improvement initiatives. DevOps job postings increased by 50% on Arc.dev’s platform between 2022 and 2024.
These skills, which are key to seamless software development and infrastructure management, are also becoming increasingly important as cloud technologies expand. As Lam says, “DevOps specialists help maintain the agility and reliability that modern companies require to innovate and scale efficiently on the cloud.”
5. Blockchain
Once thought of solely as the domain of cryptocurrency, Blockchain’s use cases are increasing. “With revolutionary capabilities such as decentralized verification, enhanced security, and transparency, companies are increasingly using Blockchain for supply chain management, secure transactions, and data integrity,” says Jeff.
With the rise in use cases comes a rise in demand. Blockchain roles on Arc.dev’s platform have grown by 500% in the last two years.
How to source in-demand tech skills
Demand for niche skills is increasing, but, as we explored in our recent webinar “Hiring global tech talent in a shortage” the talent pool is struggling to keep up. Read on to discover how you can adapt your hiring strategies to find in-demand talent.
Shift toward skills-based hiring
The shortage of specialized skills largely stems from the rapid pace at which these fields are evolving, leaving academic institutions struggling to design programs that keep up with real-world demands. As a result, companies are moving beyond qualifications, assessing skills through practical tests rather than traditional degrees or certifications.
By focusing on skills-based hiring, you can assess real-world experience and unlock overlooked talent pools. As Jeff says, “In the tech industry, there are a lot of self-learners working on side projects that nurture a lot of skills that companies value.” To take an example, one study even shows that as much as 52% of people with AI skills are self-taught.
As Alycia Damp highlighted in our recent webinar, skills-based hiring is also most effective when companies look beyond years of experience. “All the empirical research on candidate selection shows that work experience is not predictive of post-hire job performance,” she says.
Instead, she explains, they should build out a very clear picture of the soft and hard skills they’re looking for and assign numerical values when assessing candidates. By building a clear picture of candidates’ skills, companies can not only find the skills they need, but source workers who are more likely to be a long-term fit.
Implement tools for global talent acquisition
True skills-based hiring means looking past location and companies are increasingly expanding their search for specialized talent across the world. “By partnering with global talent platforms like Arc.dev, companies can target high-potential regions and skill clusters,” Jeff explains.
To source in-demand skills across the globe, you also need to be able to hire quickly without worrying about local compliance, costs, and contracts. An Employer of Record allows you to hire in any market with ease, shouldering the legal responsibility for compliance and managing payroll, benefits, and more.
This means you can leverage emerging hotspots within the tech job market where specialized talent is rife and costs are often lower. Our recent report showed how increasing numbers of US companies hiring in the Philippines and Canada, for example. Canada has extensive educational programs for data science and major machine learning institutions while the Philippines offers a fast-growing AI sector and more favorable costs.
Preparing for 2025
As high-growth technology fields rapidly evolve, a flexible approach to talent acquisition has never been so crucial. Companies need to be able to move quickly to find and secure the skills they need; often this means dropping traditional requirements and entering new markets. As we look forward to 2025, the companies that can go where the talent is will stay at the forefront of innovation and development.
