Good news for people with AI skills in South Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI) skills are rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after in the modern job market, with demand surging since 2020.

This is according to Pnet’s latest Job Market Trends report, which analysed its candidate database to identify which sectors are hiring AI professionals and the types of roles on offer.

The recruitment platform’s data showed that the number of AI professionals securing new positions has nearly doubled — up 96% between Q4 2019/Q1 2020 and Q4 2024/Q1 2025.

This is after tracking a staggering 183% increase in AI-related job postings between Q1:2018 and Q1:2024, Pnet said.

“It’s clear that companies across South Africa are ramping up their search for AI talent to stay competitive in a tech-driven economy,” the report stated.

Pnet found that IT companies have led the charge for AI skills recruitment in the past year, accounting for 62% of all AI-related hires. Within this sector, software and AI development firms are the most active recruiters.

Education is another notable employer, with around 10% of AI professionals working in training and tertiary institutions. Smaller numbers find roles in finance, consulting, and telecommunications.

Pnet also observed that many AI professionals are investing in self-initiated projects, signalling a growing startup culture within the AI ecosystem.

Most of these professionals come from an IT background, with expertise in software development, data science, or AI-specific technologies.

Approximately 45% of AI professionals are AI developers or engineers, reflecting the sector’s fast-paced evolution.

An additional 27% work as AI trainers, responsible for organising data and verifying AI system outputs—an increasingly vital role as systems are refined for real-world use.

“This is a clear indicator that AI systems are being fine-tuned and getting market-ready as they’re being applied across different fields and applications,” Pnet said.

There is also rising demand for AI educators and tutors, which aligns with the growing need for AI talent in the academic sector.

Meanwhile, in business and management, companies are hiring AI consultants and strategic leaders to help guide the implementation of AI within their organisations.

AI jobseekers in the Pound seats

Pnet believes the 96% increase in AI-related hires is a strong signal that South African businesses — especially in IT and software — are making serious investments in AI solutions.

Much of this innovation is being driven by startups and project-based environments, indicating that AI is no longer experimental. It is being refined, implemented, and commercialised.

“For jobseekers, the message is clear: those who understand and can effectively apply AI tools will unlock a wealth of career opportunities,” the report said.

“In a market increasingly shaped by digital innovation, the ability to align AI capabilities with business goals will set top candidates apart.”

The use of AI in South Africa is expanding quickly, with more businesses and state-owned enterprises integrating the technology into their operations.

One example is the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which has successfully deployed AI to enhance tax compliance and recover outstanding funds.

BusinessTech reported that Microsoft President Brad Smith recently praised SARS, suggesting that if more governments used AI as effectively, the global demand for data centres would skyrocket.

In the same media briefing where Smith appeared alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, he also announced that Microsoft would pay for 50,000 people in South Africa to gain access to AI courses.

Trainees would receive an opportunity to earn Microsoft certifications in various fields, including AI fluency, AI engineering, and AI systems design.

In addition to AI skills, the initiative includes cloud architecture and cybersecurity skills.

“These are precisely the certificates and the skills that win people jobs because you need people with these skills,” Smith stated.