UK Job Market: AI Skills in Demand, Others Left Behind
OpenAI
According to an Indeed analysis, AI mentions in UK job postings reached 9.4% by end of June 2026, up from about 2% in 2023. AI skills are increasingly required beyond tech roles, leading to a 'two-speed job market' where overall postings decline but AI-related postings surge.
An Indeed analysis shows that 9.4% of all UK job postings mentioned AI or related tools and programs by the end of June 2026, a record high, compared to around 2% in 2023. While AI mentions are highest in Data & Analytics (48.8%) and Software Development (46.7%), they are also significant in IT Systems & Solutions (30.7%), Scientific Research & Development (28.1%), Marketing (26.2%), Media & Communications (22.4%), Banking & Finance (16.9%), and Arts & Entertainment (16.3%). In contrast, in-person occupations like Beauty & Wellness, nursing, cleaning, and driving have AI mention rates below 1%. Indeed observes a 'two-speed job market' in knowledge work: overall job postings are declining in many categories, but AI-related postings are surging, indicating employers prioritize AI skills alongside or above traditional expertise. For example, in Marketing, the AI job posting index is 341 while the overall index is 52. Job searches for AI roles have septupled since ChatGPT's launch, with the most common terms being 'AI Engineer' (6.4%) and 'AI Trainer' (5.6%). However, overall UK job postings have fallen 11% since the start of 2026 and are 32% below pre-pandemic levels, with graduate postings at their lowest for this time of year since the pandemic and youth unemployment at its highest in over a decade.
Source: The Decoder (DE) —
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