The data comes from Indeed's research division, which publishes regular labor market updates tracking these shifts across the U.S. market, though similar trends are emerging globally. The specific growth trajectory began with the emergence of generative AI in 2023, which initially created a surge in GenAI-specific postings. After a brief slowdown in 2022-2023 tied to broader tech industry contraction, employer demand for AI-related skills has accelerated sharply as companies concentrate limited hiring on AI-adjacent roles.
For attorneys advising clients on workforce strategy or employment law, the divergence matters. While the information sector faces elevated layoff rates driven by AI displacement, specific knowledge-work occupations are experiencing significant growth in AI-related positions. This creates both displacement risk and opportunity—and raises questions about how employers justify AI-driven hiring decisions, how workers can document relevant skills, and whether regulatory scrutiny of AI hiring practices will intensify as the gap between AI-displaced and AI-enabled roles widens.