Lithuania ICT sector undergoes transformation via AI and automation

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Lithuania is undergoing a significant transformation driven by artificial intelligence and process automation. While the demand for specialists remains, the nature of the work is shifting as companies reduce routine tasks and redistribute functions to existing teams.

Employment statistics from the Employment Service indicate a contraction in the workforce; over an eight-month period, 7,753 employees were dismissed compared to 7,072 hires, resulting in a net loss of 681 workers. This trend is accompanied by an increase in layoff warnings from companies, signaling structural changes in how IT roles are managed.

Educational trends show a disconnect between early digital literacy and higher education choices. Despite Lithuanian students performing above the OECD average in computational problem-solving skills, interest in ICT bachelor's programs is not as high as expected, though interest grows significantly at the master's level. Experts suggest that while early exposure to programming and robotics is strong, it does not always translate into a direct academic path in ICT.