Meet the Jobs That Didn’t Exist Before AI

§ 01 Executive Snapshot

• What: The emergence of new job roles in tech, particularly forward deployed engineers, as AI deployment increases.
• Who: Box, Google, IBM, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the World Economic Forum.
• Why it matters: This shift highlights a growing labor market focused on AI implementation rather than displacement, indicating a significant evolution in tech workforce needs.

§ 02 Key Developments

• Monthly job listings for forward deployed engineers increased more than 800% between January and September 2025.
• AI has added more than 1.3 million new roles globally, including AI engineers, forward deployed engineers, and data annotators.
• IBM tripled its entry-level hiring in 2026 after overhauling job descriptions to focus on client engagement and complex problem-solving.

§ 03 Strategic Context

• The labor market is transitioning to include roles that bridge the gap between AI model capabilities and practical enterprise applications.
• The creation of positions like model evaluators and AI business automation engineers reflects the growing complexity and necessity of AI in operational contexts.

§ 04 Strategic Implications

• The rise of forward deployed engineers suggests an immediate demand for specialized roles that enhance AI product deployment in businesses.
• Long-term, this trend indicates a shift in organizational structure within tech companies, requiring a blend of technical skills and business acumen.

§ 05 Risks & Constraints

• Potential risk includes the challenge of adequately training existing employees to fill these new roles in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
• Competition for skilled professionals in AI deployment may hinder organizations' ability to effectively implement AI solutions.

§ 06 Watchlist / Forward Signals

• The ongoing hiring trends at companies like Google and Box will signal the sustained demand for forward deployed engineers.
• Monitoring the evolution of AI job categories and their impact on traditional roles will provide insights into future labor market dynamics.