The war for talent in artificial intelligence (AI) is heating up as demand for people to fill critical roles explodes. China’s AI boom is creating new opportunities for skilled workers and boosting economic growth, experts say.
In Q1 2024, the number of new jobs requiring AI skills increased by 321.7% year-on-year on the national recruitment site Liepin. The number of applicants for AI-related jobs increased by 946.84%.
The rapid rise of AI technology has created a high demand for professionals with expertise in areas such as data science, AI engineering, machine learning, and robotics.
According to Liepin, the demand for algorithm developers for large language models is so high that for every AI expert, there are six positions available. Starting salaries for AI-related employees at the master’s level range from 400,000 yuan ($50,000) to 550,000 yuan ($70,000) per year. The base salary for a doctoral degree holder can reach 1 million yuan per year.
Jin Ling, who earned a master’s degree in AI and data mining from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), for example, says she received offers from several companies, including Huawei, ByteDance and a Shenzhen-based unicorn startup, and chose the one that offered the best compensation package.
However, the supply of AI experts has not kept up with the increase in demand. According to analysts, this can be attributed to the complexity of AI technologies, which require in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical field experience. These roles require specialized knowledge in emerging fields, such as deep learning, natural language processing, and robotics.
According to a report from iiMedia Research published in February, 91.3% of companies surveyed have a shortage of AI experts and more than 70% of these companies plan to increase recruitment of AI professionals over the next two years.
According to a 2023 McKinsey report, China’s need for AI workers could increase sixfold by 2030, to 6 million people.
“To become an AI expert, it is essential to master programming languages, such as Python or Java. Knowledge of machine learning, neural networks, data analysis and problem-solving skills are also crucial to succeed in this field,” Guo Yike, dean of HKUST, said in a recent interview.
According to a study by Chicago-based think tank MacroPolis, China has expanded its AI talent pool in recent years. China is producing a significant share of the world’s top AI researchers, rising from 29% in 2019 to 47% in 2022.
Liu Gang, a chief economist at the China Institute of Next-Generation AI Development Strategies, said: “Collaboration between industry and academia could help fill the skills gap by providing students with hands-on training and real-world projects.”
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