73% of tech job listings require AI skills now: How to show off yours

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More job descriptions than ever are soliciting AI skills, according to a new report from tech hiring platform Dice.

An analysis of 7 million tech job postings in the US from May 2026 revealed that 73% required at least one AI skill, underscoring that a practical grasp of the technology is becoming a baseline expectation among employers. In January 2024, that percentage stood at 15%.

"A lot of these [skills] are going to just become table stakes," Dice CEO Art Zeile told ZDNET.

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For tech job seekers already navigating a rocky job market, proving to employers that they have the necessary skills is paramount.

Though the tech job landscape is rapidly shifting, there are some tried-and-true practices that can help prospective hires communicate to employers that they can actually do the job.

Certifications have long been a way for IT professionals to demonstrate proficiency in various areas. Zeile said Dice has been tracking the emergence of certifications for AI skills. Two years ago, job seekers might not have had many options. Now, companies like AWS and Google offer certifications for generative AI developer, machine learning engineer and more.

"If you ask me, what would be super impressive… you went through a training program, and you passed the test. You're certified," Zeile said.

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Zeile also spoke to the importance of being able to talk through projects and their results.

Columbia University's Center for Career Education, for example, advises not just listing generic job duties on a resume, but what you accomplished, how, and why.

Saying you know Python isn't enough. Pointing to a project that perhaps saved your last company time or money is a different story. Zeile said that could also mean coming into an interview with an agent you've built.

Additionally, the Dice report called out the importance of the intersection between a candidate's own area of expertise and their fluency with AI tools.

Dan Hillman is an interview engineer at Karat, a company that runs technical assessments for clients such as Google, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, and others. He said he's looking for how well candidates can use their own expertise to audit and manage AI tools to solve a problem, rather than just deferring to the AI.