Demand for AI skills surged by over 100% in 2025, Upwork finds - here's how it could affect your job search

"The proliferation of advanced AI tools in the workplace isn't resulting in the mass job displacement that many have feared -- not yet, anyway. According to a new report from freelance marketplace platform Upwork, employer demand for skills that, on the surface, seem most susceptible to AI-driven automation, like software development and customer support, remained stable in 2025. At the same time, demand for skills that focus on incorporating AI into companies' existing workflows has skyrocketed over the past year, Upwork's report found."

"According to Upwork's data, all of which were gleaned from the company's site over the course of 2025, demand for professional skills that specifically mention AI grew by a cumulative amount of 109% compared to the previous year -- a strong indicator that employers across industries are actively embracing AI tools, even if they're not using them to replace human workers."

""Our data shows that AI isn't erasing the need for human work; it's clarifying where human expertise matters most," Teng Liu, an economist at Upwork, said in a statement. "Even as AI capabilities expand rapidly, businesses continue to invest in foundational skills and are willing to pay a premium for talent that brings creativity, judgment, and problem-solving into AI-enabled work.""

Employer demand for AI-related skills surged in 2025, with professional skills that specifically mention AI growing 109% year-over-year. Demand for roles that appear susceptible to AI-driven automation, such as software development and customer support, remained stable in 2025. Demand for skills focused on integrating AI into existing workflows skyrocketed, indicating companies are adopting AI tools while seeking human oversight. Businesses are investing in foundational skills and offering premiums for talent that brings creativity, judgment, and problem-solving to AI-enabled work. Freelancers could see increased demand as employers place a higher premium on flexible, specialized AI-capable talent.

Read at ZDNET