America’s Fastest-Growing Job is Being Driven by ChatGPT.

Looking for a new job? AI development might be a secure choice.

A recent analysis by the University of Maryland and job-tracking firm LinkUp shows a sharp rise in AI-related jobs over the past two years, highlighting the growing demand for AI skills.

Anil Gupta, a professor at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, attributes this increase to the “ChatGPT effect,” where OpenAI’s chatbot has led to a surge in AI job postings while reducing traditional IT roles.

The AIMaps program, a collaboration between the University of Maryland and LinkUp, tracks AI job growth across various industries in the U.S. Since late 2022, AI job postings have risen by 68%, even as overall job listings dropped by 17%. ZipRecruiter also reported a 124% increase in AI job postings from 2023 to 2024.

In January, LinkedIn identified AI engineer and AI consultant as the fastest-growing roles, while a PwC study found that AI-related jobs are expanding three times faster than other roles. However, non-AI IT job postings have declined by 27% since late 2022.

Despite AI creating new job opportunities, major tech companies have also downsized. Google, for instance, cut jobs in its Google Assistant and hardware teams after investing billions in AI startup Anthropic. A World Economic Forum survey indicates that 41% of employers plan to reduce their workforce in favor of AI by 2030.

Gupta notes that AI tools like GitHub Copilot now handle 60–70% of coding tasks, enabling fewer workers to achieve the same output. “Four people can do the job of ten,” he said.

AI is rapidly expanding.

The global AI race is gaining momentum, highlighted by the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese startup that has disrupted the market with an AI model reportedly built at a fraction of the cost of U.S. counterparts like ChatGPT.

DeepSeek’s open-source strategy—allowing other companies to access and modify its architecture—could further accelerate AI adoption across industries, according to Anil Gupta and his research team. They predict faster AI integration in sectors such as software development, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and agriculture.

More than two years after ChatGPT ignited an AI boom, U.S. tech giants continue to pour resources into the field. Microsoft, for example, announced an $80 billion investment in AI data centers for fiscal 2025. Additionally, President Donald Trump introduced Stargate, a collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, which aims to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure over the coming years.

Demand for AI-related jobs is particularly strong in consulting, as non-AI businesses frequently rely on firms like Accenture and Bain to implement AI solutions. Roles such as machine learning engineers and generative AI product managers are especially sought after. In December, Ernst & Young reported that 97% of companies investing in AI had experienced positive returns.

However, widespread adoption may still face hurdles due to privacy and security concerns, noted Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter.

Companies are prioritizing efficiency concerns.

AI job growth is rising even as overall hiring slows across the job market. Companies are increasingly focused on maximizing efficiency, said Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, which analyzes workforce data.

Many businesses are restructuring, eliminating redundant roles, streamlining management, and tightening cost controls, according to ZipRecruiter’s Julia Pollak. She attributes this shift to high interest rates and reduced access to credit.

While demand for AI jobs is increasing, it remains unclear how the AI boom is affecting specific professions. Pollak suggests that hiring may be “leaner” in fields where AI has improved efficiency, such as content creation. Simon adds that sectors adopting AI are seeing steeper hiring declines.

Beyond AI adoption, companies are also reducing costs by hiring high-skilled remote workers abroad. Revelio Labs reports that U.S. businesses are increasingly offshoring roles like consulting and software engineering to lower-cost locations.

The tech industry saw rapid expansion during the pandemic as businesses shifted online. However, consumer behavior has since normalized. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that software publishing jobs grew 30% from March 2020 to September 2022 but declined by 1% between September 2022 and December 2024. Meanwhile, overall job growth has remained steadier, increasing 2% from 2020 to 2022 and 4% since then.

Concerns about AI-driven mass unemployment may be overstated, according to Anil Gupta. He believes companies will adapt to AI-driven efficiency rather than eliminate jobs entirely. “Work schedules have changed over time—from six-day to five-day workweeks,” he said. “In 10 to 20 years, could we see a four-day workweek? The chances are very high.”