AI Talent Flow Report

Tracking the Movement of AI/ML & Security Talent Across Industries, Markets, and Borders

Since 1995, I’ve had a front-row seat to the ebb and flow of tech talent—from the rise of the dot-com era to the cloud security revolution, and now, the explosive demand for AI Security expertise.

Today, the AI/ML and Security talent markets are moving faster than ever, shaped by technological breakthroughs, shifting regulations, and industry-wide security concerns. Companies are scrambling to secure top AI talent, while professionals are navigating an evolving landscape of opportunity, risk, and specialization.

That’s where Identify Security—your source for AI Security and AI-adjacent talent—comes in.

This report isn’t just a data dump—it’s a narrative-driven intelligence brief designed to help executives, hiring leaders, and AI professionals make informed, strategic decisions. Through a stock-to-flow breakdown, we’ll assess supply, demand, workforce shifts, compensation trends, and long-term hiring strategies—giving you the insights you need to capture AI Security talent ahead of the market monthly.

Understanding the Limitations of Our Data

While we have been tracking AI/ML and Security talent flow for about four months, these metrics will continue to evolve as we refine our methodologies, data sources, and trend analysis. This means:

• Hiring trends will fluctuate as companies adjust their workforce strategies in response to AI adoption, economic conditions, and regulatory factors.
• Compensation data is evolving. The AI Security and AI workforce is relatively new, and salary transparency is still limited. While we are using conservative estimates, we are already seeing higher real-world compensation—especially for professionals with 10-20 years of experience in AI and security.
• Stock-to-flow insights will improve over time. The movement of talent between industries, geographies, and job functions is complex. As we continue to track these trends, our ability to predict shifts and hiring bottlenecks will strengthen.

This report reflects the best available data at this moment and will be updated regularly as we refine our research and receive new inputs.

1. AI/ML & Security Talent Market Overview

Global vs USA Workforce Trends

• Global: The global AI market is projected to grow from $214.6 billion in 2024 to $1,339.1 billion by 2030, indicating a significant expansion in the AI workforce.
• USA: The U.S. remains a dominant AI hub, with AI-related job openings accounting for 12% of all tech postings. However, talent shortages are causing companies to rethink their recruitment strategies.

Emerging AI Talent Hubs

• Austin, TX: A booming AI workforce with STEM jobs comprising over 11.5% of total employment.
• Colorado Springs, CO: A 12% increase in tech hiring over the past five years, ranking as one of the fastest-growing talent pools.
• Raleigh-Durham, NC: A rising AI powerhouse fueled by top-tier universities and a growing research sector.

2. AI Security Talent Market (Stock & Flow Analysis)

Top 10 Talent Pools for AI Security Roles

Fastest-Growing AI Security Roles

• Machine Learning Security Specialists
• AI Security Analysts
• AI Incident Response Engineers

Salary Benchmarks by Location and Seniority Level

Note: AI Security salary data remains limited, and real compensation is often higher than reported figures, especially for top-tier professionals with 10-20 years of experience. The below figures are conservative estimates based on available data.

3. AI-Adjacent Talent & Workforce Shifts

• AI Talent Migration: Industries like finance and healthcare are aggressively acquiring AI talent, while retail and traditional IT sectors are losing it.
• MLOps, AI Engineers & Privacy Specialists: These adjacent roles are becoming pipelines for AI security hiring.

4. Market Trends, Predictions & Strategic Insights

Long-Term AI Security Talent Shortages

• Financial Sector: AI-driven fraud detection talent demand is outpacing supply.
• Defense & Government: Clearance requirements are slowing down hiring.
• Tech & Cloud Providers: AI infrastructure security expertise is in critical demand.

Recruiting Playbook: Getting Ahead of the AI Hiring Curve

• Early-Stage Talent Pipelines: Partnering with universities and AI bootcamps.
• Upskilling Internal Teams: Training security engineers in AI risk management.
• Exploring New Talent Hubs: Looking beyond Silicon Valley to cities like Denver, Raleigh, and Nashville.

This isn’t just another dry hiring report—it’s a real-time pulse on the AI talent economy. If you want to hire smarter, move faster, and dominate the AI/ML Security talent market, this is your guide.

Welcome to the AI Talent Flow Monthly Report—where we track, predict, and help shape the future of AI & Security hiring.

?? Identify Security—your source for AI Security and AI-adjacent talent.

www.identifysecurity.com

DM if you have thoughts on this report, other data feeds we should include and if we can be helpful with any Consulting, Staffing or Direct Hire Needs!