- AI is creating a 'two-track' labour market: 'professionalised' roles (in which AI acts like a force multiplier for experts, requiring more human-intensive skills) see greater growth across headcount and wages than 'democratised' roles (in which AI makes the role itself easier for non-experts to perform)
- Companies most able to use AI are seeing faster headcount growth than the least AI-exposed companies (52% vs 36%) and higher wage growth (24% vs 17%)
- "Super-star companies" most exposed to AI achieved labour productivity gains of 163%, significantly outpacing other businesses
- Jobs requiring specific AI skills are growing almost eight times (69%) faster than the total jobs market (9%), with the average wage premium for AI skills rising to 62%
- Entry-level outlook diverges: Analysis of US data shows AI-exposed entry-level roles are seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level skills such as judgement and leadership. These roles grew 35% since 2019, while other entry-level roles declined by 10%
LONDON, 15 June 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AI is rapidly reshaping the skills employers want most from workers – increasing the emphasis on human skills such as judgement, creativity and leadership – as companies most able to use AI continue to expand hiring faster than their peers, according to PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released today.
