Setting the Stage for the IT Labor Market Future

Gartner projects that global IT spending will reach $5.74 trillion in 2025, which is a 10% increase from 2024. This is a clear sign that companies are investing heavily in their tech stacks, especially when it comes to the infrastructure needed to support GenAI. Spending on GenAI is expected to add $7.4 billion to the total spend.

And it’s not just about infrastructure. The demand for tech talent is high, but finding the right candidate has been difficult. Companies are scrambling to find skilled professionals in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

Even more so, while 92% of companies say they plan to invest more in AI, only 1% have fully figured out how to integrate it into their daily workflows effectively. Given how large this gap is, there are plenty of opportunities for workers to change careers or grow.

Employees are noticing that gap, too. Nearly half of them say that training is the most important factor when it comes to adopting GenAI, but many feel like they’re not getting enough support. It’s obvious that if companies want to fully leverage AI, they will need to invest in the support to enable this.

Further, a McKinsey report shows that while nearly all executives and employees believe they’re familiar with GenAI tools, leaders often underestimate how often their teams use them. Leaders think only 4% of workers use GenAI for a third of their day, when in reality, it’s closer to three times that amount.

And when it comes to the future, 20% of leaders think GenAI will account for more than 30% of employee tasks within a year, but nearly half of employees believe it will.

So, what does all this mean for the future of IT labor? GenAI and automation aren’t just trends; they’re becoming the workplace norm to create a digital workforce where employees and AI work together to create stronger results. Companies that support this will be the ones to thrive in the future.