AI demand creates two-track labor market with wage premium

The global labor market is being reshaped by a surge in demand for artificial intelligence skills, with companies moving beyond experimentation to full-scale adoption and creating a pronounced two-track system, according to a major new report. The findings reveal a widening gap between firms and workers who can leverage AI and those who cannot, alongside a fundamental shift in the skills required for entry-level positions.

In the United Kingdom, job postings for AI specialist roles soared by 61% over the past year, adding an estimated 68,000 positions and returning hiring volumes to their 2022 peak. This boom contrasts with a 6.6% decline in overall UK vacancies. The intense demand has triggered a significant wage premium, with average salary bumps for AI-literate professionals tripling in a year to 34.2%, and reaching as high as 64% in consumer markets.

The trend is accelerating globally. In Ireland, hiring for roles requiring AI skills has grown 83% since 2019, far outpacing the wider job market's 16% growth. The share of Irish job postings requiring AI skills rose to 3.7% in 2025 from about 2.3% in 2024. Positions that require the use of AI increased by 84% in 2025 compared...