AI hiring drives rise in career switching
More workers are changing career paths as AI-related roles attract talent from research, analysis and engineering jobs, according to Revelio Labs.
A growing number of US workers are changing careers rather than simply moving employers, with AI-related roles emerging as a significant destination for those seeking new opportunities, according to new analysis from Revelio Labs.
Analysis of US workforce data from Revelio Labs found that 38.5% of workers who changed jobs in 2025 also changed job categories, up from 35% in 2019. The data suggests career mobility is increasing even as overall hiring activity remains subdued.
The workforce intelligence firm examined employment records and job transitions across its role taxonomy. It found that workers are becoming less likely to move between similar positions and more likely to enter entirely different occupational categories.
AI-focused positions feature prominently among the fastest-growing destinations for career changers. According to Revelio, AI project coordinator was the role attracting the fastest growth in career-switching inflows since 2023. AI engineer and data centre technician roles also ranked among the leading destinations.
The analysis found that workers moving into AI roles most commonly came from academia, research, data analysis and manufacturing engineering backgrounds. Consulting and marketing professionals were also represented among those making the transition.
Revelio attributes part of the shift to changing labour market demand. Job postings for AI project coordinator and AI engineer roles were 33% higher than two years earlier, while demand for data centre technicians increased by 28%. During the same period, vacancies declined for several occupations that commonly supply talent to AI roles, including academic researcher, data analyst and research scientist positions.
The findings come as debate continues about AI's impact on employment. While concerns about large-scale job displacement remain, some technology leaders have recently emphasised workforce adaptation and job redesign rather than widespread elimination of roles.
For learning and talent leaders, the research highlights the importance of career mobility and reskilling pathways. Workers moving into AI-related positions often bring transferable skills from research, analytical and technical disciplines, suggesting that adjacent skills may play an important role in filling growing demand for AI talent.
The report also points to a challenge for organisations seeking to develop AI capability internally. Only 18% of career moves into AI roles occurred within the same parent company, compared with 28% of career changes overall.
The lower rate of internal mobility into AI positions may reflect the specialised nature of many AI roles. However, it also suggests opportunities for employers to strengthen internal development pathways, helping employees acquire skills needed for emerging technology-focused careers rather than recruiting exclusively from outside the organisation.
As demand for AI expertise continues to grow, the ability to identify transferable skills and support career transitions may become an increasingly important element of workforce planning and talent development strategies.