A surge in demand for AI professionals has helped tech job vacancies across the UK to grow by 21% in a year, with the UK expanding its tech talent pool to its highest level since 2019, according to new data from Accenture’s UK Tech Talent Tracker.
The research, which tracks the UK’s technology sector vacancies and skills, indicates a nearly 200% year-on-year increase in demand for AI skills across UK cities. Despite efforts to promote tech innovation in other regions, nearly two-thirds (65%) of technology vacancies are in London, with the capital accounting for 80% of demand for AI skills across all UK cities.
While London continues to drive growth, the UK has expanded its technology talent pool by 53% in a year, resulting in nearly 1.69m professionals reporting skills in disciplines, including cyber, data and robotics.
Additional research indicates that organisations based in London are ahead in preparing for the impact of Generative AI, investing more in training and technology. Approximately 58% of businesses in London have increased their investment in upskilling in Generative AI, compared to 40% of firms outside London.
Emma Kendrew, Accenture’s Technology Lead in the UK, said, “The UK has a golden opportunity to establish itself as a global AI leader and London is at the epicentre. The UK is seeing hotspots of tech talent emerge which we expect to grow as AI is more widely adopted.”
