Growing Demand for AI-Skilled Cyber Specialists

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a central force in modern business transformation. Whether deployed to streamline operations, generate actionable insights from data, enhance customer experience, or boost workforce productivity, AI adoption is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Recent figures suggest that around 90% of organisations are now piloting AI or running implementations at varying scales, which is a dramatic shift that underlines the speed at which this technology has moved from experimental to business-critical.

The Double-Edged Sword of AI Adoption

While AI delivers huge opportunities, it also creates new risks. As AI systems become embedded in decision-making, cybercriminals are finding ways to exploit them. From adversarial attacks on machine learning models to the misuse of generative AI for phishing campaigns and deepfakes, the threat landscape is evolving quickly.

For organisations, this means cybersecurity strategies can no longer be separated from AI strategies. Protecting AI infrastructure, ensuring data integrity, and building resilient systems are now fundamental business priorities.

The Rise of the AI-Skilled Cyber Specialists

This convergence is driving intense demand for professionals with combined expertise in AI and cybersecurity. Traditional cyber roles are expanding to encompass new responsibilities such as:

• AI Threat Modelling: Anticipating how AI tools could be attacked or misused.
• Secure Machine Learning: safeguarding data pipelines, training models, and algorithms against tampering.
• AI-Driven Defence: deploying AI solutions that detect anomalies, automate threat response, and reduce dwell time.
• Governance & Compliance: navigating emerging regulations on AI ethics, transparency, and accountability.

As businesses scale their AI adoption, they are discovering that the skills gap in this area is significant. Demand for talent is outpacing supply, making AI-skilled cyber specialists some of the most sought-after professionals in today’s technology market.

What This Means for Employers and Candidates

For employers, competition for this talent is fierce. Offering clear career development pathways, investment in continuous learning, and opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects will be critical to attracting and retaining skilled specialists.

For candidates, the opportunity is huge. Cyber professionals who can upskill in AI or AI experts who build a strong foundation in cybersecurity will find themselves at the forefront of a rapidly growing, high-impact field.

How Certes IT Recruitment Can Help

At Certes, we understand the evolving dynamics of the technology talent market. Our specialist recruitment expertise enables us to connect organisations with the AI-cybersecurity professionals they need to future-proof their digital transformation journeys.

Whether you’re a business seeking niche expertise or a professional looking to take the next step in your AI or cybersecurity career, we can help you find the right fit.