New Technology / Ai Development
Track AI development, model progress, product releases, infrastructure shifts and strategic technology signals across the artificial intelligence sector.
The Talent Map - Final Recording
Topic
AI and Cyber Workforce Development
Key insights
- Matthias Ashinsky is a senior fellow at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University
- The webinar discusses Center for Security and Emerging Technologys pathways to and support AI and cyber workforce policy
- Sonali Subramanian is a data research analyst at Center for Security and Emerging Technology and a core contributor to the development of Paths
- Paths is Center for Security and Emerging Technologys tool for identifying and analyzing emerging technology talent in the United States
- The tool maps the supply and demand of the AI and cyber workforce across US regions
- It highlights the top educational institutions producing AI and cyber talent by degree level
Perspectives
Panel discussion on AI and cyber workforce development, focusing on data needs, educational challenges, and industry collaboration.
Proponents of Enhanced Workforce Data and Education
- Highlight the need for timely labor market data to inform workforce strategies
- Emphasize the importance of granular data for understanding job market dynamics
- Argue that educational institutions must adapt quickly to evolving skill requirements
- Propose that work-based learning programs can effectively meet local workforce needs
- Advocate for collaboration between education and industry to align training with job demands
Skeptics of Current Workforce Strategies
- Question the effectiveness of existing educational programs in meeting industry needs
- Critique the slow pace of academic structures in adapting to technological changes
- Express concern over the potential elimination of entry-level jobs due to automation
- Challenge the adequacy of current data collection methods for workforce analysis
- Doubt the ability of employers to clearly define the skills they require
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the growing demand for AI literacy and durable skills in the workforce
- Recognize the importance of community colleges in providing accessible education
- Note the role of alternative pathways in diversifying entry into the tech workforce
Metrics
ai_employees
1.8 million employees
number of AI employees in California for 2025
This figure indicates California's leading role in the AI workforce, influencing policy and investment decisions.
there are about 1.8 million AI employees in the state for this time period itself
ai_job_postings_share
20%
share of AI related job postings in the Bay Area for 2025
This indicates a significant concentration of AI job opportunities in a key tech region.
the highest share for AI related job postings in 2025 were in the Bay Area where we have about 20% of job postings for that region
cyber_job_postings_high_values
high values
total number of cyber related job postings across California and Texas for 2025
High demand for cyber talent suggests robust job growth in these states.
California and Texas again have very high values
cyber_talent_demand_share
highest share
share of total demand for cyber talent in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland
This highlights key regions for cyber talent, influencing recruitment strategies.
the highest share for cyber related job postings even though the absolute value showed California and Texas have higher absolute number
cyber_talent_shortage
200,000 to 600,000 individuals
estimated shortage of cyber talent in the US
This shortage indicates a critical gap in the workforce that could hinder technological advancement.
estimates placed that shortage on the low end of about 200,000 on the high end about 600,000
resource_constraints
resource constraints
Challenges faced by educators in rural areas
Resource constraints hinder effective teaching and integration of AI skills.
we have a lot of resource constraints we support we have three campuses in western Pennsylvania
dial_up_users
dial up
Access to technology in communities
Continued reliance on outdated technology limits educational opportunities.
some of them that are still they're on dial up and they're paying 400 to 500 dollars a month for their cell phones
entry_level_jobs_elimination
eliminate entry level jobs
Industry expectations for graduates
Eliminating entry-level jobs creates pressure on educational institutions to prepare students for higher-level roles.
many wanting to eliminate entry level jobs and I've just heard this last week from two organizations
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The Center for Security and Emerging Technology's tool identifies and analyzes AI and cyber workforce talent, revealing supply and demand trends across the U.S.
- Matthias Ashinsky is a senior fellow at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University
- The webinar discusses Center for Security and Emerging Technologys pathways to and support AI and cyber workforce policy
- Sonali Subramanian is a data research analyst at Center for Security and Emerging Technology and a core contributor to the development of Paths
- Paths is Center for Security and Emerging Technologys tool for identifying and analyzing emerging technology talent in the United States
- The tool maps the supply and demand of the AI and cyber workforce across US regions
- It highlights the top educational institutions producing AI and cyber talent by degree level
05:00–10:00
The increase in AI-related graduates from California's state universities leads to a higher concentration of job postings in the tech sector, particularly in cyber roles.
- We identify these occupations by using the Bureau of Labor Statistics softwares or the standard occupational classification codes
- The education metrics show the universities in the state producing graduates with AI related degrees
- In California, a lot of AI related graduates are coming from state universities for bachelors degrees
- For higher education levels like masters and PhDs, private universities play a bigger part in producing AI related graduates
- We can switch to cyber workforce metrics by choosing cyber in the dropdown menu
- The total number of cyber related job postings across the US states for 2025 shows high values in California and Texas
10:00–15:00
Pathwires offers sortable workforce metrics, enhancing analysis of AI and cyber job markets, which is crucial for informed decision-making in workforce development.
- Pathwires provides workforce metrics for selected regions
- Metrics are paginated and sortable for easier analysis
- Documentation on methodology and dataset is available on Pathwires
- Webinar participants can ask questions via chat or support page
- Tiffany Shea leads strategy and operations for AI work at Jobs for the Future
- Dr. Camille Dempsey researches how emerging technologies reshape learning
15:00–20:00
The lack of timely and granular labor market data leads to a significant shortage of cyber talent in the US, estimated between 200,000 to 600,000, impacting workforce preparedness.
- Training institutions need to understand skill needs to prepare workers and learners appropriately
- Lack of information risks overlooking talent and not knowing skills and pathways to occupations
- Labor market data needs to be more granular and timely, especially for AI and cyber talent
- Job titles, required skills, and hiring patterns are changing rapidly
- Colleges building curricula around outdated skills face challenges in preparing people for the future
- There is a shortage of cyber talent in the US, estimated between 200,000 to 600,000
20:00–25:00
The rapid evolution of AI outpaces academic structures, leading to a disconnect in talent preparation and program relevance. This creates challenges for educational institutions in adapting to shifting skill requirements.
- One of the top AI sought codes was computer occupations, a catch-all code for various computer-related jobs
- There is a need for more granular data to avoid lumping data into catch-all codes
- Decision makers need to know which initiatives or programs to fund or scale
- Pathwise helps identify where talent is needed and what kind of talent to invest in
- The pace of technological change outruns academic structures
- Curricular processes, approvals, and governance cycles move slowly compared to the rapid evolution of AI and cybersecurity
25:00–30:00
Educators face challenges integrating AI into teaching due to resource constraints and lack of support, leading to a workforce misalignment with industry expectations.
- Educators need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable in a rapidly changing environment
- Faculty often want to integrate AI and cyber skills into their teaching but lack time, training, and clear frameworks
- PennWest University created an AI Center for AI and emerging technologies to support professional development
- Ongoing professional development and communities of practice are essential to prevent educators from feeling overwhelmed
- There are resource constraints in rural and underserved areas of Western Pennsylvania
- Employers are looking to eliminate entry-level jobs and hire graduates with AI experience for higher-level functions