AI talent demand up 30%: Skills beyond coding now key

A recent survey reveals that demand for AI talent in India has surged 30% since 2025, signaling a robust shift in hiring priorities. Employers are increasingly seeking professionals with skills beyond traditional coding, such as AI ethics, prompt engineering, and domain-specific AI applications. This trend reflects the growing integration of AI across industries, driving a need for hybrid roles that combine technical expertise with business acumen. The survey underscores the evolving nature of tech hiring, where soft skills and contextual understanding are becoming as critical as programming proficiency. Key signal: AI talent demand has risen 30% since 2025, with employers prioritizing skills beyond coding. For hiring leaders, this matters because for CHROs and TA leaders, this 30% surge in AI talent demand is a clear signal to recalibrate hiring strategies. The emphasis on skills beyond coding means that traditional job descriptions and screening criteria may need to be redesigned to attract candidates with interdisciplinary capabilities. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing competitive advantage in AI adoption. This trend also highlights the importance of upskilling existing workforce to meet the changing demand, as well as the need for more nuanced assessment methods that evaluate practical AI application rather than just technical knowledge. Teksands view: This survey confirms what we've been seeing: AI hiring is no longer just about coding chops. The 30% demand spike is a market signal to diversify your talent pool and rethink job descriptions. If you're still screening for 'Python expert' and ignoring AI ethics or domain knowledge, you're missing the point. Start building assessment frameworks that test practical AI application and business acumen. The companies that adapt fastest will own the AI talent race.