73% of AI pros intend to change jobs this year — everyone else isn’t so optimistic

Tech job market outlook: Mixed signals and AI optimism: A recent Dice survey of 910 tech professionals and employers reveals a complex landscape in the tech job market, with short-term caution and long-term confidence coexisting alongside a particular enthusiasm for AI-related careers.

• The survey indicates a split sentiment among tech professionals, with 31% expressing cautious optimism about economic conditions over the next year, while an equal percentage remains pessimistic.
• Despite short-term uncertainties, 80% of respondents anticipate growth in the tech industry over the next five years, signaling long-term confidence in the sector’s prospects.
• Only 40% of tech professionals feel confident about finding new roles that meet their expectations, marking a significant decline from previous years and reflecting current market challenges.

AI professionals: Leading the charge in career confidence: The survey highlights a notable disparity between AI specialists and general tech professionals in terms of career outlook and job-seeking intentions.

• AI professionals demonstrate significantly higher confidence in career advancement, with 58% expressing optimism compared to just 36% of other tech professionals.
• An overwhelming 73% of AI specialists intend to change jobs within the next year, surpassing the 65% of general tech professionals with similar intentions.
• The allure of big tech companies is particularly strong among AI professionals, with 29% aspiring to work for major tech firms compared to 18% of their general tech counterparts.

Job market dynamics: Increased mobility and search activity: The survey reveals a trend towards greater job mobility and active job-seeking behavior among tech professionals.

• The percentage of tech professionals actively searching for new positions has risen to 39%, up from 32% in the previous year.
• A significant 67% of respondents are considering changing employers, marking an increase from 60% in the prior year’s survey.
• These figures suggest a dynamic job market with increased willingness among tech professionals to explore new opportunities, possibly driven by factors such as career growth, better compensation, or alignment with emerging technologies.

Generative AI adoption: A mixed reception: The survey sheds light on the current state of generative AI adoption and its perceived impact on the tech workforce.

• Over one-third of tech professionals report never using generative AI tools, indicating a significant gap in adoption or reluctance to embrace these technologies.
• Conversely, 30% of respondents use generative AI tools at least weekly, suggesting a growing integration of these technologies in some tech professionals’ workflows.
• Looking ahead, 40% of tech professionals believe AI will significantly impact their work in the coming year, highlighting the anticipated transformative potential of AI technologies.

Strategic value of AI projects: Room for improvement: The survey reveals a potential disconnect between AI professionals and their perception of their work’s strategic importance within their organizations.

• Only about half of AI professionals feel that their AI projects are strategically valuable to their companies.
• This perception could be a contributing factor to the high percentage of AI professionals looking to change jobs, as they seek roles where their work is more clearly aligned with organizational priorities.

Broader implications: AI’s growing influence on tech careers: The survey results underscore the increasing importance of AI skills in shaping tech career trajectories and market dynamics.

• The higher confidence and job mobility intentions among AI professionals suggest a growing demand for AI expertise across the tech industry.
• The disparity in career outlook between AI specialists and general tech professionals may lead to increased competition for AI-related roles and potentially drive more tech professionals to upskill in AI technologies.
• As generative AI tools continue to evolve and impact various aspects of tech work, professionals across the industry may need to adapt their skills and workflows to remain competitive in an AI-influenced job market.