# AI and cybersecurity engineers top list of hardest-to-fill tech roles in 2026 > AI engineers and cybersecurity experts are the hardest roles to fill in 2026, per a new survey. Eighty percent of organizations say talent shortages are already hurting operations. - Type: AI news - Page: https://completeaitraining.com/news/ai-and-cybersecurity-engineers-top-list-of-hardest-to-fill/ - Published: 2026-04-26 - Updated: 2026-04-26 - Author: Jeroen Erne - Jobs: IT and development - Reading time: 2 min ### AI Engineers, Cybersecurity Experts Hardest Roles to Fill Technology leaders face a severe talent shortage in 2026, with AI skills at the center of hiring struggles. A new survey of IT leaders shows 80% of organizations already use AI in software development, and talent gaps are now limiting business operations across the industry. AI engineers top the list of hard-to-fill positions, cited by 39% of respondents. Cybersecurity engineers follow closely at 38%, while cloud engineers and data analytics professionals round out the most difficult roles to staff. #### AI Adoption Drives Job Growth The shift toward AI is creating new positions rather than eliminating them. Nearly half of organizations (48%) report AI adoption has led to new roles, compared with just 18% reporting AI-related layoffs. Hiring for AI skills jumped from 89% of organizations in 2025 to 91% in 2026. Two-thirds of organizations that improved productivity last year attributed those gains directly to AI integration. #### Python and AI Skills Command Premium Python ranks as the most in-demand programming skill, cited by 56% of respondents seeking to fill roles. AI and machine learning expertise follows at 47%, reflecting the technical foundation needed for development work. Organizations aren't hiring junior talent to fill these gaps. Only 12% of companies planning to hire in 2026 expect to focus on entry-level positions. Approximately 70% prioritize senior-level professionals, particularly those with AI expertise. #### Talent Shortages Impacting Operations Half of all respondents report difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled technical staff. Eighty percent say talent shortages are already affecting operations, and 47% of large enterprises indicate workforce gaps are directly limiting their ability to meet business goals. Responsible AI use emerges as a secondary concern, with half of respondents citing it as a major challenge. Security and privacy risks concern 48% of organizations. #### Analytics and Business Intelligence Growth Eighty-five percent of organizations use business intelligence tools internally, while 76% deploy embedded analytics within applications. Eighty-four percent expect to increase their analytics focus in 2026. For IT professionals, the message is clear: Python skills and AI expertise command immediate market value. [AI Coding Courses](https://completeaitraining.com/tag/coding/) and specialized training in machine learning can address the immediate demand. Data analysts looking to advance should consider the [AI Learning Path for Data Analysts](https://completeaitraining.com/learningpath/ai-for-data-analysts/) to remain competitive. --- This is the Markdown form of https://completeaitraining.com/news/ai-and-cybersecurity-engineers-top-list-of-hardest-to-fill/. The whole site is mapped at https://completeaitraining.com/llms.txt.