Three-quarters of tech hiring leaders at companies using artificial intelligence, 75%, are rushing to hire AI talent without a sustainable talent strategy, according to a survey released March 11 by General Assembly, part of The Adecco Group.

“Too many companies are approaching AI with the same old playbook: layoffs and rapid hiring sprees with no sustainable talent strategy,” General Assembly CEO Daniele Grassi said in a press release.

While 63% of recruiting leaders reported hiring candidates with AI skills is already more challenging than hiring for non-AI tech roles, 68% said they typically agree to higher salaries during negotiations with AI-skilled candidates, up from 64% in a 2024 survey. 

Despite this, only 27% of companies upskill existing employees to fill new tech roles — a figure unchanged since 2023, despite its cost-effectiveness compared to hiring.

Almost all HR professionals, 95%, believe finding qualified candidates with both technical and soft skills is harder today than three years ago.

Here are the top hard-to-find skills by region:

US:

• Communication, 39%
• Problem-solving, 37%

UK:

• Time management, 40%
• Problem-solving, 39%
• Flexibility, 38%

Singapore:

• Lack of openness to learning, 43%
• Time management, 40%
• Flexibility, 39%

The research also found that as many companies move to deprioritize diversity, equity and inclusion, their HR leaders are worried about unintended consequences. Eighty-five percent fear higher turnover, lower engagement and declining morale, while 76% are concerned about employer branding and increased hiring costs.

When it comes to AI adoption, 61% of organizations reported that the increased focus on AI skills has heightened the need for inclusion in hiring. And while 53% still prioritize college education when hiring for remote tech roles, the share of companies looking first to other education and certifications has risen to 18% from 6% in 2022.

Overall, only half of hiring leaders, 52%, now rank alternative education and credentials among the top three considerations for hiring remote candidates.

“Firms are competing for an ever-shrinking pool of skilled candidates when they should be investing in developing their own qualified talent,” Grassi said. “Upskilling and reskilling will be absolutely essential to a future where every role, at every level, requires AI skills.”

General Assembly is a technology education provider. It was acquired by The Adecco Group in 2018.

The survey includes responses from 500 HR professionals in talent acquisition at companies hiring technology talent in the US, UK and Singapore.