Global Tech Talent Shortage Drives AI Hiring Concerns and Salary Shifts
A report by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission estimates a worldwide shortage of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals, with demand at 10.2 million and the current workforce at 5.5 million. The gap leaves 67 % of organisations vulnerable and is projected to generate cyber‑crime losses exceeding US$23 trillion by 2027. The same study finds that 95 % of firms see AI accelerating cybersecurity adoption, while 94 % believe AI can help close the skills gap.
Research on AI‑mediated hiring across the UK, Europe, the US, Australia and the UAE shows employers are framing bias as a manageable legal and reputational risk rather than a problem to fix, describing a “techno‑hesitation” that coexists with optimism about AI reducing bias.
A separate hiring analysis predicts that growing UK demand for AI, cyber and cloud talent will narrow the salary gap with Eastern Europe from 46 % to 36 % by 2028. Salaries for these roles in Eastern Europe could rise up to 8 % annually, reaching over $60 000 by 2028, while UK salaries are forecast to increase modestly to around $94 000.
Entities: Elisabeth Kelan · Karnataka Digital Economy Mission · Native Teams · Robert Walters · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 95 % of organisations believe AI is accelerating cybersecurity adoption. (KDEM Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report 2025)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There is a global shortage of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals. (KDEM Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report 2025)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Increasing UK demand for AI, cyber and cloud talent is expected to narrow the salary gap with Eastern Europe from 46 % to 36 % by 2028. (Robert Walters Market Intelligence and Native Teams research)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A study identified “techno‑optimism” and “techno‑hesitation” positions among interviewees on AI hiring. (Study published in Information Technology & People)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Global demand for cybersecurity professionals is 10.2 million while the active workforce is 5.5 million. (KDEM Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report 2025)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Employers treat AI hiring bias as a risk to manage rather than a problem to fix. (Study published in Information Technology & People)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Salaries for AI, cloud and cyber professionals in Eastern Europe could rise up to 8 % annually over the next three years, reaching more than $60 000 by 2028. (Robert Walters Market Intelligence and Native Teams research)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cyber‑crime losses are projected to exceed US$23 trillion by 2027. (KDEM Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report 2025)