Navigating the AI talent landscape

Companies now race to use AI for an edge. As a result, the demand for software developers with AI talent has soared.

This demand is not limited to tech giants. Startups and old-line industries also want AI-savvy developers to stay relevant and fresh.

In the 499th episode of the Outsource Accelerator Podcast, Fred Joye of Arcanys, a software development company based in the Philippines, shared his insights on AI talent.

Why is AI talent so hard to find?

AI talent is scarce because demand has outpaced the supply of trained developers, so many companies now look offshore to fill the gap.

• Nearly every sector now wants developers who can build AI features.
• Schools and training programs have not kept up with the pace of AI.
• Outsourcing and global hiring help teams reach talent they cannot find at home.

The rising demand for AI talent

AI adoption has spread fast across sectors. As a result, the fight for AI talent is fierce.

More companies want developers who can add AI to their apps. They also need people to build advanced algorithms and set up machine learning models.

In fact, the AI market value is expected to skyrocket up to $1,811.8 billion in 2030. That is a huge climb from about $136.55 billion in 2022. For many firms, AI outsourcing has become a quick way to keep up.

Fred stated on the podcast, “If you see a pitch deck that doesn’t talk about AI, I guess your valuation just goes down, and you can raise less money.

There are true groundbreaking startups that do amazing stuff with AI. I’m pretty sure. There are also a lot that are leveraging existing solutions or creating products or services that are probably just going to make them disappear with the next update of ChatGPT.”

AI talent shortage

Demand is high, but supply is low. The pool of developers with real AI skills is still thin. This gap is worse in places where schools have not caught up with the fast-moving field.

Fred explained the situation in the Philippines:

“Now, when we look at the talent in the Philippines, when it comes to AI [and] machine learning, unfortunately, we’re very, very ill-prepared for that. We’re struggling to find AI talent.”

He added, “The curriculum in universities and schools is just not ready for that. It’s gone so fast, and they haven’t been able to get ready. So for us, if we have to look for AI talent, we look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, we do look elsewhere.”

Outsourcing as a strategic solution for AI talent shortage

Top-tier AI talent is still hard to find. However, outsourcing parts of AI product work can be a smart fix.

Outsourcing gives you access to skilled talent while you save on labor costs. In addition, Fred pointed to the strategic value of outsourcing in AI projects. This is also why outsourcing software development remains a popular path for lean teams.

“When you encapsulate an AI product into a platform, there’s also a lot of software development that’s required to go around that and to deliver the interface or anything in the background that is running around that. That’s where outsourcing still makes sense.

Fred suggests outsourcing other parts of the business, but definitely not the core.

“You would not outsource the core of your IT to elsewhere. We wouldn’t recommend that a startup do this. [But] everything that is wrapping around these services can be outsourced, and that’s where [Arcanys] could help the company deliver their products or services.”

Bridging the AI talent gap

To close the AI talent gap, companies and schools must act early. Here are some strategies to consider.

1. Invest in education and training

Universities and schools need to update their courses. For example, they can add strong AI and machine learning classes. Partnerships between schools and industry help keep training in step with real-world needs. Many AI and ML solutions grow out of these joint efforts.

2. Promote continuous learning

AI moves fast, so learning cannot stop. As a result, workers must keep building new skills. Companies should fund courses, workshops, and certifications to help staff grow.

3. Leverage global talent pools

As Fred noted, looking beyond the usual markets can work well. Remote work and shared tools make it easy to tap a global talent pool. A skilled remote software developer can join your team from almost anywhere.

4. Foster industry collaboration

Businesses, government, and schools can team up to build a stronger AI pipeline. Joint projects and internships give people real, hands-on experience.

For example, the US Food and Drug Administration set up Project Uptech to develop tech talent. It “prioritizes investing in the agency’s technology workforce through ongoing education and training opportunities.”

This effort aims to close knowledge gaps. So the workforce stays at the front of new technology.

Invest in education, back continuous learning, use global talent, and build partnerships. In this way, companies can better harness the power of AI talent.

The landscape is changing fast. Still, those who adapt quickly will thrive in this AI-driven era.

AI talent FAQs

What skills define strong AI talent?

Strong AI talent blends coding, math, and data skills. Developers need to build and train machine learning models. They also need to add AI into real apps and solve problems at scale.

Why is there an AI talent shortage?

Demand has grown faster than supply. AI moves so fast that many schools cannot keep their courses current. As a result, there are far fewer trained developers than open roles.

Can you outsource AI development safely?

Yes, if you draw a clear line. Keep your core IT in-house, as Fred advises. Then outsource the software that wraps around your AI product, such as interfaces and back-end tasks.

Where can companies find AI talent?

Many firms now look offshore. Remote work and global hiring open up a much wider pool. Outsourcing partners can also supply vetted developers for AI-related work.

How can teams keep AI skills current?

Make learning a habit. Fund courses, workshops, and certifications for your staff. In addition, join industry projects and internships that build hands-on experience.