Top AI Talent Needs in 2025: Recruitment Trends Revealed

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AI Talent Recruitment Trends 2025

G42, a global technology group headquartered in the UAE, has released a new report titled “What AI Experts Want from Their Employers” in collaboration with Semafor. The report delves into what drives the top AI talent recruitment trends in 2025, along with what the world’s top AI professionals want. The report also outlines what companies must offer to attract and retain talent in a fiercely competitive global landscape.

Based on insights from 750 AI specialists across key innovation hubs, the study explores the top AI talent recruitment trends in 2025 and the key motivators, such as job satisfaction, career progression, compensation, and the increasing significance of flexible work environments and cutting-edge AI infrastructure.

The insights from the report aim to guide global recruitment strategies and inform workforce development policies for organizations competing for elite AI talent.

Key Insights from the G42’s Global Talent Report 2025:

• Top Priorities: The most valued and important aspects for AI talent include compensation (68%), job security (70%), and work-life balance (67%). Leading incentives are competitive salaries, involvement in advanced AI projects, and robust benefits packages.
• In-Demand Skills: Expertise in deep learning, data engineering, and programming tops the list. Senior roles highlight machine learning specialization, while implementation experts emphasize cybersecurity skills and a strong intellectual drive.
• Role-Based Preferences: Research-oriented professionals prioritize autonomy and global exposure. Meanwhile, implementation specialists seek higher salaries, fast-tracked career growth, and ethical AI commitments.
• Workplace Flexibility: Hybrid work models are preferred by 70% of associate-level employees, compared to 53% of team leaders.
• Career Stage Priorities: Senior AI experts gravitate toward leadership positions, sustainability-driven initiatives, and long-term impact. Whereas junior professionals value flexibility, hands-on experience, and rapid advancement.

AI Jobs in UAE Are Evolving

Maymee Kurian, G42’s Group Human Capital and Culture Officer, states that attracting and keeping top AI talent requires more than just financial incentives. Professionals today seek meaningful work, growth opportunities, and alignment with organizational values.

With global partnerships spanning NVIDIA, AMD, Cerebras, Qualcomm, and OpenAI, and supported by a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft in 2024, G42 stands at the forefront of delivering transformative opportunities for the world’s brightest AI minds.

A new survey by YouGov, commissioned by SAP, indicated that 94% of companies in the UAE believe AI will play a major role in business expansion. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents participating in the study expected significant returns on AI investments within the next one to two years. 

Read: AI, Wellness, and Genomics Lead WHX ARAB HEALTH 2025 Medical Expo

UAE Technology Industry Growth 

According to PwC, the UAE is on track to have the third-largest AI contribution to national GDP by 2030, a testament to its strategic focus on sovereign AI infrastructure, government initiatives, and strong public-private partnerships. According to an estimate, the UAE’s AI industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 35%. By 2026, the UAE’s AI market is set to hit AED 20 billion (US$5.4B), with Generative AI projected to exceed AED 1.4 billion ($382.7M). Similarly, the UAE’s digital economy is projected to grow by $140 billion. In GITEX Global’s 2024 edition, the UAE signaled its intention to make the country AI and tech-ready. Aligned with the D33 Agenda, Dubai’s global blueprint for AI is expected to contribute AED 100 billion to Dubai’s economy.

Dubai AI Market Trends 2025

With tax-free salaries, a high quality of life, and a rapidly growing AI ecosystem, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are increasingly popular among professionals seeking career growth and global impact. The UAE is now among the top 10 countries attracting German millionaires. In particular, Dubai is becoming the top choice for AI Startups in 2025 as it offers a tax-friendly environment and an inclusive ecosystem that attracts global talent. Furthermore, the multicultural nature of Dubai helps startups onboard talent from around the world. By 2025, Dubai’s population is expected to surpass the 4 million mark, fueling economic growth and increasing consumer spending.