One skill that will guarantee you a job in South Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI) skills are fast becoming one of the most attractive skill sets in the world of work, and demand for them has risen massively since the start of the decade. 

In its latest Job Markets Trends report, Pnet used its extensive candidate database to explore which industry sectors are hiring AI professionals and what kinds of AI roles are available. 

Its data shows that compared to Q4:2019/Q1:2020, the number of AI professionals securing new roles has nearly doubled, with a 96% increase recorded by Q4:2024/Q1:2025.

Pnet previously noted the increased demand for AI professionals, with its data showing demand jumping 183% between Q1:2018 and Q1:2024. 

Thus, companies across South Africa are ramping up their search for AI talent, with AI no longer a buzzword but one of the most attractive skill sets in the workplace. 

Pnet noted that over the last year, the vast majority of companies that have employed AI professionals have been IT companies, making up 62% of total AI employment.

Companies specialising in software and AI development are currently the most prominent employers for AI professionals.

Roughly 10% of AI professionals find employment in the education sector, primarily in training or tertiary educational institutions.

Other companies that employ AI professionals, but on a much smaller scale, are players in the finance industry, consulting firms, and telecommunications companies.

Pnet added that AI professionals also invest their time in their ideas and ‘self-initiated projects’, indicating the potential for startup companies in the AI space.

Most AI professionals come from an IT background, with skills in software development or data science and AI. 

Roughly 45% of AI professionals with IT expertise are AI developers and AI engineers, indicating a rapid pace of change in the AI space. 

Another 27% are AI trainers who manage and organise data and verify AI outputs. These workers are in increasing demand in the AI space. 

“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,” said Pnet. 

There are increasing employment opportunities for AI teachers and AI tutors, which aligns with the industrial demand for AI professionals in the education sector. 

Within Business and management jobs, AI consultants and AI business leaders are finding employment, showing that businesses are starting to see the need for AI strategies and guidance.

What this means for jobseekers

Pnet said that the 96% increase in hiring AI specialists signals that companies, especially those in IT and software, are beginning to invest seriously in AI solutions. 

Many innovations also come from startups and project-based environments, showing that AI is no longer experimental –  AI is constantly being refined, implemented and readied for the market. 

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

“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 is becoming more prevalent in South Africa, with more businesses and state-owned enterprises using the technology. 

A wide adapter of AI has been the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which has used AI to increase tax compliance and chase funds owed to the state. 

Microsoft President Brad Smith recently praised SARS, saying that the world’s demand for data centres would skyrocket if governments used AI as much as SARS. 

In education, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) recently launched the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute. 

Within the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, the institute focuses on fundamental AI research to develop AI expertise on the continent.