AI JOBS REPORT 2026
The AI skills gap is now a career gap.
32 data points from Forbes, Gallup, the World Economic Forum, McKinsey, the IMF, PwC, Microsoft, LinkedIn and more — on who is getting hired, who is getting paid, and who is being left behind.
WITHOUT AI SKILLS, CAREERS STALL
The people being left behind are the ones not using AI
3xTech workers who used AI less than monthly faced an 18% layoff risk — triple the 6% risk of regular AI users.Gallup, via Forbes (Jun 2026) ↗
62%of recently laid-off US workers were AI non-users, compared with 50% of people still employed.Gallup, via Forbes (Oct 2026) ↗
60%of companies plan to lay off employees who can’t or won’t use AI.WRITER 2026 AI Adoption Survey, via Forbes ↗
77%of executives won’t consider employees who refuse to become AI-proficient for promotions or leadership roles.WRITER 2026 AI Adoption Survey, via Forbes ↗
2 in 3business leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills.Microsoft & LinkedIn Work Trend Index ↗
40%of small businesses passed on otherwise-qualified candidates because they lacked AI skills.General Assembly, via Forbes (Aug 2026) ↗
Over 50%of hiring managers say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI literacy skills.LinkedIn Chief Economist, World Economic Forum ↗
LAYOFFS & DISRUPTION
AI is reshaping who gets hired — and who gets cut
101,743US job-cut announcements cited AI in the first half of 2026 — about 23% of all cuts. AI was the #1 reason in June.Challenger, Gray & Christmas, via Forbes ↗
142,000+tech jobs were cut in the first five months of 2026 as companies redirected money to AI.Forbes (Jun 2026) ↗
135,446tech workers laid off in 2026 so far — already more than in all of 2025.Layoffs.fyi (Nov 2026) ↗
−53%drop in software development job postings since ChatGPT launched in late 2022.Forbes (Jun 2026) ↗
−19%employment for 22–25-year-olds in AI-exposed jobs, compared with less-exposed peers.Stanford Digital Economy Lab, via Forbes ↗
8–9%fewer postings for AI-exposed entry-level roles by early 2026 — the “invisible layoff” of jobs never posted.Dallas Fed, via Forbes (Sep 2026) ↗
40%of jobs worldwide are exposed to AI — rising to about 60% in advanced economies.International Monetary Fund ↗
57%of current US work hours could, in theory, be automated with today’s AI agents and robots.McKinsey Global Institute ↗
36 millionUS jobs could see lower demand by 2035 from AI and automation.McKinsey Global Institute, via Fortune (Oct 2026) ↗
2 millionIndian tech-services jobs could be displaced by 2031 unless people reskill.NITI Aayog (2026)
THE SKILLS GAP
The jobs exist. The skills don’t.
59 of 100workers will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030 — and 11 of them are unlikely to get it, putting 120M+ workers at risk.World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs 2025 ↗
39%of workers’ existing skills will be transformed or outdated between 2025 and 2030.World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs 2025 ↗
63%of employers say skills gaps are the biggest barrier to transforming their business.World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs 2025 ↗
7xgrowth in two years in demand for AI fluency — faster than any other skill in US job postings.McKinsey Global Institute ↗
+70%year-on-year growth in job postings that require AI literacy skills.LinkedIn Skills on the Rise 2026 ↗
40%+of US professionals worry they lack the skills needed for the future.LinkedIn Skills on the Rise 2026 ↗
72%of employers worldwide report difficulty filling roles — with AI skills now the hardest to find.ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey 2026 ↗
#1AI is now the hardest skill for employers to find worldwide — surveyed across 39,000+ employers in 41 countries.ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey 2026 ↗
PAY & OPPORTUNITY
Those who upskill are being paid more
62%average wage premium for AI skills — up to 118% in some sectors.PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer ↗
31–50%salary premium for AI-skilled roles, offered by 26% of employers surveyed in India.Indeed AI at Work Tracker 2026, via IANS ↗
Up to 40%skill-based pay premium for AI, generative AI and machine learning roles in India.EY India Future of Pay 2026 ↗
Up to 30%hikes for job switchers in AI, against a 9.1% market average.Michael Page India Salary Guide 2026 ↗
8xfaster growth for jobs requiring AI skills (69%) than for the overall jobs market (9%).PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer ↗
71%of leaders would rather hire a less-experienced candidate with AI skills than a more-experienced one without them.Microsoft & LinkedIn Work Trend Index ↗
170 millionnew jobs will be created by 2030 — for people with the right skills.World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs 2025 ↗
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All figures come from the third-party sources linked on each card; we link to the original report or to the news article that reported it. Survey results describe groups, not individuals. CertiCo® does not guarantee any job, promotion, salary or layoff outcome. Last updated November 2026.