"Demand for software development skills in AI-related roles is set to fall next year as agentic AI accelerates across business markets, according to an IEEE industry survey. Or so says research by the global technical professional organization, which polled 400 CIOs, CTOs and IT directors in Brazil, China, Japan, India, the UK, and the US. IEEE states that nearly all professionals expect agentic AI innovation to continue at "lightning speed" in 2026, as both established enterprises and startups deepen investments and commitments to the technology."
"The technology is reshaping hiring priorities in tech departments. Demand for software development skills in AI roles dropped 8 percentage points to 32 percent compared to last year. Meanwhile, employers increasingly seek AI ethics expertise (44 percent, up 9 points); data analysis skills (38 percent, up 4 points); and machine learning capabilities (up 6 points). Paradoxically, 39 percent of respondents plan to use agentic AI to aid software development itself - suggesting the technology may be replacing the very skills it requires."
Agentic AI is accelerating across business markets and is expected to continue rapid innovation through 2026 as enterprises and startups deepen investments. Tech hiring priorities are shifting: demand for software development skills in AI roles fell 8 percentage points to 32 percent, while demand rose for AI ethics expertise (44 percent), data analysis skills (38 percent) and machine learning capabilities. Thirty-nine percent of respondents plan to use agentic AI to assist software development, while 47 percent prioritize real-time cybersecurity vulnerability identification and attack prevention. Top industries expecting significant AI transformation next year include software (52 percent), banking and financial services (42 percent), healthcare (37 percent), and automotive and transportation (32 percent).
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