Originally published on AI Tech Connect.
What the data actually says AI skills are the hardest hire on earth. For the first time, ManpowerGroup's 2026 survey ranks AI as the single hardest skill set for employers to find, overtaking traditional engineering and IT. The shortage is structural, not cyclical. Across 39,063 employers in 41 countries, 72% report difficulty filling roles — easing only slightly from 74% in 2025 and 75% in 2024. India is among the most stretched markets. 82% of Indian employers report difficulty; the UK is qualitatively tight too, even though this dataset does not publish a UK figure. Demand is concentrated. Over 75% of AI listings want specialists, most target 2–6 years of experience, and entry-level roles are only about 2.5% of postings. On the evidence below we will argue something specific: in a…
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