Artificial intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, but the reality behind the AI conversation is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. Many businesses are racing to be seen as “AI organisations”, often before they have a fully formed AI strategy in place. What they do know, however, is that AI capability has become a differentiator and data professionals sit at the centre of making it work.

‘AI is killing junior jobs’ misses important nuance – but you still need a strategy

Rising IT spending in 2026 will create openings for data architects, data engineers and data scientists, cybersecurity specialists and platform engineers, while demand for generic IT skills remains flat.

In a recent article for diginomica, Peter Birch, Director of Technology & Digital Executive Search at Harvey Nash, comments on the findings of diginomica’s 2025 Digital Careers Report, focusing on how digital leaders are experiencing the current job market.