The latest data from the Experis Tech Talent Outlook, which surveyed over 4,000 employers across 42 countries, shows hiring plans are up two points from the previous quarter and level with last year. More than half of surveyed companies intend to expand their workforce, while 14% anticipate reductions. The United States mirrors the global average, also reporting a 37% outlook.

Despite the rapid integration of AI, the report highlights a paradox in current recruitment: the most sought-after attributes are human-centric. Communication, collaboration, and work ethic consistently rank higher than specific technical competencies. James Hallahan, Experis Europe Brand Leader, noted that while AI remains central to technology investment, the ability to apply that technology through judgment and creative problem-solving determines whether the investment yields results.

Regional hiring intensity varies significantly. Markets in the Americas, particularly Guatemala, Brazil, and Costa Rica, report the most aggressive expansion plans. In contrast, parts of Europe show a more cautious approach, with some nations reporting negative outlooks. Within the technical sphere itself, AI modeling and application development lead the demand, though these roles remain tethered to the requirement for a workforce capable of managing human-AI collaboration.