Artificial intelligence jobs are no longer niche, according to newly released data. Photo: iStock/File.
Jobs in artificial intelligence are now mainstream, taking their place as the fastest growing roles to be offered across the economy.
Latest data from LinkedIn’s annual Jobs on the Rise list shows 2026 starting with AI opportunities right at the top of growth positions employers are seeking to fill.
An AI engineer tops the list as the most sought after in-demand role for the surging tech skills sector.
The LinkedIn data ranks and highlights roles that have grown rapidly over the past three years and uncovers the trends shaping the future of the workplace and workforces.
It does this by examining the millions of jobs started by LinkedIn members from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2025 to calculate a growth rate for each job title.
To be ranked, a job title needed to see positive growth across the membership base and sufficient job postings in the past year, as well as have grown to a meaningful size by 2025.
The list is designed to help job seekers identify where opportunities are emerging.
LinkedIn career expert Brendan Wong said the data showed that AI had moved from niche to mainstream.
“This year’s list shows how quickly the job market is evolving. AI is no longer a specialist skill – it’s becoming part of everyday work and leadership,” he said.
“Whether you’re in tech, business or creative industries, building AI literacy and staying open to new skills will be key to future-proofing your career.
“The most successful professionals will be those who combine technical know-how with adaptability and a willingness to learn.
“Jobseekers can use this list as a roadmap to explore emerging roles, understand the skills employers value most and position themselves for the opportunities shaping Australia’s future of work.”
The shift also shows AI is no longer limited to small-scale trials or specialist teams.
While an AI engineer job takes the top spot, roles such as director of artificial intelligence and chief risk officer also rank highly.
In contrast, the top five roles in 2025 were English teacher, server, travel specialist, sommelier and electrical design engineer – pointing to a post-pandemic rebound in education and services.
In 2026, the focus has shifted decisively to technology-led growth, with AI roles in high demand.
According to the data, AI literacy is now the most in-demand skill Australian employers seek across all jobs on LinkedIn.
Its growing demand is influencing hiring preferences, with eight in 10 global leaders more likely to hire someone who is comfortable with AI tools than someone with more experience but less AI proficiency.
Mr Wong said AI was also emerging as a critical leadership skill, with the number of C-suite executives in Australia adding AI-related skills such as prompt engineering and generative AI tools to their LinkedIn profiles growing 4.7 times in two years in Australia.
The data shows that Australian entrepreneurship is accelerating, with the role of “founder” ranking seventh on this year’s list, following a 58 per cent surge in members adding “founder” to their profiles between July 2024 and July 2025 – more than triple since 2022.
More than three in ten professionals say AI has increased their likelihood of starting a business, showing how AI is leveling the playing field and enabling small businesses to compete with larger companies.
In Australia, the average headcount growth among small and medium-sized businesses outpaced larger firms ninefold and hiring among SMBs is up five per cent year-on-year, compared to a three per cent decline among companies with more than 1000 employees.
Australia’s top 15 jobs on the rise, according to the new data, are: AI engineer; chief risk officer; mechanical engineer; director of artificial intelligence; organisational development manager; legal director; founder; media director; regulatory affairs consultant; power system engineer; head of environment, health and safety; psychotherapist; head of sales; tax specialist; and strategic partnerships manager.
