AI has taken centre stage across the GCC in recent years, captivating the world of business across the region and beyond with its groundbreaking innovations and rapid adoption.
Deel, an all-in-one HR platform for global teams, has taken a deeper look into whether the increased implementation of AI has translated into tangible job opportunities. According to Deel’s data, AI-related jobs have witnessed a worldwide surge, both in terms of individuals hired and organisations seeking to fill these positions.
As of September 2023, Deel has reported over 5,000 active contracts in the fields of AI, Data Science, and Software Engineering, with over 2,100 organizations actively participating in this hiring frenzy. The pace of growth has surpassed expectations, and the numbers tell a compelling story.
Tarek Salam, Head of MENA Expansion, Deel, said “The surge in AI hiring we’re witnessing is a global phenomenon, and Deel is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in connecting businesses in the region with the talent they require to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our platform and services provide a gateway for companies to access top AI professionals worldwide, contributing to the growth and development of the AI ecosystem. We’re excited to be part of this transformative journey, enabling businesses to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.”
Key trends in AI, Software Engineering and Data Science functions between September 2021-September 2023 include:
- The number of AI, Software Engineering, and Data Science roles paid through Deel organizations grew 60% in the last year.
- Deel sawa 59% increase in organizations hiring AI, Software Engineering, and Data Science roles over the last year.
- The United States dominated AI hiring, followed closely by Canada, the United Kingdom, and to a lesser extent, Germany.
- Canada led AI worker hires, followed by India, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
- Salaries vary by region, but Latin America benefitted most from AI growth, with a modest—but steady—increase in average salaries over the year.
The AI hiring phenomenon knows no geographic boundaries. The internationalization of AI talent has been driven by complementary trends, with the rapid adoption of AI technology necessitating a global hiring spree. This shift towards global hiring has been made possible by emerging Employer of Record (EOR) models, enabling the cross-border integration of highly skilled AI professionals.
The internationalization of AI talent since the launch of Chat GPT
- India is leading the way in new AI roles, with positions such as: AI Engineer, AI Training Lead, AI Computer Vision Engineer
- US companies are increasingly hiring AI talent in Brazil, Canada and Argentina with city hotspots in Toronto (7% increase), Bangalore (3% increase) and London (3% increase); Lahore, Berlin, and Buenos Aires (2% increase), whilst the UK and Canada are increasingly hiring AI talent from the US
- Most new contracts were created in Germany (52% increase), the United States (44% increase) and the United Kingdom (41% increase)
AI Roles Salary Trends Over the Last Year
Deel’s own AI hiring initiatives have centered on the development of Deel IQ, a powerful tool harnessing Deel’s extensive database of global compliance and hiring information. This beta tool is currently being queried over 4,500 times each week and is in use by 35 clients.
