Oyster 2026 AI Talent Report: AI Requirements Jump from 5% to 15% of Roles

Oyster's 2026 Global AI Talent Report found that AI requirements appeared in 15% of roles filled through its platform in the first half of 2026, up from 5% in 2022. Yet 62% of companies that added AI requirements to existing roles changed neither titles nor pay, and 46% did not formally communicate the new expectations.

• Share of roles requiring AI skills rose from 5% in 2022 to 15% in H1 2026
• 23% of engineering roles and 17% of marketing coordinator roles require AI skills
• 62% of companies added AI requirements without changing titles or compensation
• 53% of HR professionals prefer training existing staff, 14% prefer external hiring