A new study by software development experts at Vention has identified the artificial intelligence skills most valued by employers. The research analysed 43,392 US Glassdoor listings tagged with AI-related descriptions and evaluated 425 skills to determine the most frequently requested competencies.
Machine learning emerges as the clear leader, appearing in 37.17% of the analysed positions, or 16,130 jobs. As a subset of AI, machine learning enables computers to learn from data and improve their performance over time without explicit programming, using pattern recognition to support decisions or predictions.
Python ranks 2nd, required in 25.98% of roles (11,275 jobs). The language is valued for its accessibility and extensive libraries, such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, which help developers build and test models quickly.
Data science ranks 3rd at 19.71% (8,551 positions). In AI contexts, this discipline centres on analysing large datasets using statistics, programming, and machine learning techniques to extract insights that guide system development.
Top 10 in-demand AI skills
Based on frequency in US Glassdoor job descriptions
| Rank | Technical Skill | Percentage of Jobs Requesting Skill | Number of Jobs |
| 1 | Machine Learning | 37.17% | 16,130 |
| 2 | Python | 25.98% | 11,275 |
| 3 | Data Science | 19.71% | 8,551 |
| 4 | C++ | 19.02% | 8,254 |
| 5 | Microsoft Excel | 17.61% | 7,642 |
| 6 | SQL | 15.72% | 6,820 |
| 7 | Java | 10.77% | 4,675 |
| 8 | Data Analytics | 9.84% | 4,271 |
| 9 | DevOps | 8.84% | 3,838 |
| 10 | CI/CD | 7.13% | 3,094 |
Employers seek C++ for its high performance and efficient memory management in real-time systems, robotics, and computer vision. Microsoft Excel supports data organisation, cleaning through charts and pivot tables, basic statistical analysis, simple model simulation, and visual reporting.
The remaining top skills address the practical demands of building, deploying, and maintaining operational AI systems. SQL enables data querying, while Java provides additional programming capabilities. Data analytics focuses specifically on data interpretation, whereas DevOps and CI/CD support continuous integration, delivery, and operational reliability.
Hanna Volchek, VP of Talent at Vention, commented on the findings: “AI skills are in high demand due to the rapid growth of AI technologies and the increasing automation of business processes, which require skilled professionals to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.”
Volchek added: “As AI continues to evolve, companies must analyse vast amounts of data to maintain a competitive edge in their respective markets. This highlights the importance of having employees with the necessary skills to help develop and adapt to the rapidly changing business landscape.”
The study demonstrates that both specialised technical capabilities and established foundational tools remain essential. Professionals looking to enter or advance in AI roles may benefit from prioritising machine learning foundations alongside strong Python programming ability and solid data handling skills. Drawing exclusively from US Glassdoor postings, these findings offer a snapshot of current employer requirements rather than a long-term forecast.