Tech Industry Job Declines in the U.S. - Simultaneous Booms Persist

In the two years following the release of AI chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022, the tech job market has undergone a significant transformation. A comprehensive analysis of job listings on Indeed, conducted from the time of ChatGPT's announcement, reveals fascinating insights into this shift.

Prior to ChatGPT, tech job postings had witnessed a significant decline since early 2020, including the post-COVID-19 downturn. However, the emergence of ChatGPT seems to have had a profound impact on certain sectors of the tech industry.

For instance, mobile app development, a field often reliant on Java, has seen a dramatic drop in job listings. Over 70% of mobile developer job listings have diminished since ChatGPT's release, possibly due to AI coding tools making it easier for individuals to develop apps independently.

Conversely, the demand for certain roles has risen. AI architects, individuals responsible for designing and implementing AI systems, are in high demand. These roles might seem dull but are indispensable, given the boom in AI-related work. Similarly, data center technicians, who maintain and manage the infrastructure that supports AI systems, are also in high demand.

These roles, along with HR software developers for managing employees and those who work on core business systems, are the most in-demand technical roles in the current market. They are indispensable and relatively difficult for companies to replace.

Interestingly, the demand for AI architects and data center technicians is not affected by AI coding tools. This could be due to the specialized nature of these roles and the need for hands-on expertise in AI systems and data center management.

The companies offering the most jobs for AI architects and data center technicians are predominantly large US tech firms. While specific company names are not listed in the search results, notable examples include firms investing heavily in AI-driven construction processes like Plancraft (Germany) and software providers such as smino, which develops specialized AI tools for construction teams.

Cloud architects and engineering managers have also seen a significant decrease in job listings, further reflecting the changing landscape of the tech industry.

In conclusion, the release of ChatGPT has undeniably shaken up the tech job market. While certain roles have become less in demand, others have seen a surge in demand. The focus now seems to be on core business systems and the infrastructure that supports AI systems, with AI architects and data center technicians being in high demand.