Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: LinkedIn Skills on the Rise 2026 highlights AI hiring shift in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
LinkedIn has published its 2026 Skills on the Rise lists across the UK, United States, Canada, Australia and Singapore, revealing how rapidly AI adoption is changing what employers are hiring for, and what professionals are adding to their profiles.
The annual rankings measure year-over-year growth in both skill acquisition and hiring success, comparing data from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025 against the previous year. To rank, skills must show sustained growth and meaningful hiring activity. Basic digital literacy and overly broad skills are excluded.
Across all five markets, the message is consistent. Employers are not just experimenting with AI tools. They are hiring for professionals who can deploy, manage, govern and commercialize them.
For EdTech providers and workforce leaders, this is less about hype and more about infrastructure.
UK: AI deployment meets governance and commercial delivery
In the UK, LinkedIn groups its fastest-growing skills into five core areas.
Under AI, Machine Learning and Generative Technologies, demand is rising for prompt engineering, chatbot development, large language models, regression analysis, and machine learning operations. The emphasis is on turning AI systems into usable, reliable tools rather than pilots or proofs of concept.
Data Strategy & Workflow Optimisation is also accelerating, with growth in data-driven decision making, data storytelling, business process automation, process optimization, and workflow management. As AI produces more operational data, employers are prioritizing professionals who can interpret and apply it.
A third cluster, Operations & Risk Resilience, includes governance, risk management and compliance, cyber risk management, ethical decision making, statutory reporting, and operational excellence. Digital transformation is increasing exposure to regulatory and security pressures.
The UK list also highlights Leadership, Culture & Communication, including project management, cross-functional collaboration, DEIB, and cross-cultural communication, alongside Commercial Intelligence & Delivery, covering strategic planning and analysis, technology roadmapping, sales negotiation, revenue growth strategy, and relationship management.
LinkedIn maps these skills across 10 job functions, from Engineering and Education to Finance, Marketing, Healthcare Services, and Human Resources.
The signal is clear. AI capability in the UK is spreading beyond engineering teams into commercial and operational leadership.
United States: AI engineering and business strategy dominate
In the United States, the fastest growth sits under AI Engineering & Implementation.
Skills such as data annotation, FastAPI, Google Gemini, LangChain, model training and fine-tuning, OpenAI API integration, retrieval-augmented generation, vector databases, PySpark, Matplotlib, and PyTorch are accelerating as organizations embed AI into production environments.
At the same time, Operational Efficiency skills, including logistics management, process optimization, program improvement, real-time monitoring, and workflow automation, are expanding as companies seek productivity gains.
The US list also elevates AI Business Strategy, including AI for business, AI for design, data governance, responsible AI, and tech-enabled business transformation. Employers are looking for professionals who can define AI value propositions, not just build systems.
Additional growth areas include Financial Operations & Analysis, Cybersecurity & Risk Management, Leadership & People Management, and Business & Revenue Growth.
The pattern reflects a maturing AI market. Technical skills remain critical, but governance and monetization are rising in parallel.
Canada: implementation and stakeholder alignment
Canada’s list closely mirrors US trends, led by AI Engineering & Implementation, including prompt engineering, MLOps, Azure Databricks, CI/CD, FastAPI, machine learning algorithms, PySpark, Matplotlib, and PyTorch.
Operational Efficiency also features prominently, with workflow management, product operations, manufacturing process optimization, and process automation gaining traction.
However, Canada’s list places stronger emphasis on Stakeholder Management, including client communication, onboarding, customer interaction, and cross-functional collaboration. As AI reshapes workflows, professionals who can align teams and external partners are increasingly in demand.
The fourth cluster, Data & AI Strategy, includes AI for business, data interpretation, data integration, software infrastructure, and cloud infrastructure.
Australia: governance and communication rise alongside AI
Australia’s fastest-growing skills span technical deployment and organizational change.
Under AI, Machine Learning and Data Intelligence, growth areas include prompt engineering, data analysis and insights, model training and fine-tuning, data platforms, and AI for business use cases such as forecasting and workflow automation.
Technical Development and Engineering includes full-stack development, API integration, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and UI engineering.
Australia also places significant emphasis on Communication and Relationship Building, including stakeholder collaboration, client communication, brand storytelling, and cross-cultural communication.
Under Training, Coaching and People Development, onboarding design, mentoring, learning program design, team development, and cross-functional leadership are rising as organizations seek to reskill internally.
The final grouping, Governance, Ethics and Compliance, includes governance, risk management and compliance, ethical decision making, ESG strategy, and policy development.
Australia’s data suggests that AI rollout is being treated as both a technical and organizational transformation challenge.
Singapore: AI, cloud and strategic transformation
In Singapore, LinkedIn highlights AI, Machine Learning and Data Engineering, including large language models, generative AI, computer vision, robotics, data engineering, and model training.
Under Software Engineering and Cloud Infrastructure, skills such as full-stack development, back-end development, DevOps, mobile application development, and cloud systems are accelerating.
Singapore’s list also emphasizes Strategic Business and Transformation, including strategic leadership, business transformation, business development, and business acumen, alongside Financial Management.
The trend reflects Singapore’s positioning as both a regional technology hub and a financial center where AI adoption intersects with enterprise transformation.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.