Entry-level ICT hiring falls 38% amidst AI skills shift

Demand for AI, machine learning, and data management skills is rising rapidly.

Entry-level information and communications technology (ICT) job postings saw the steepest decline of any occupation group since the post-COVID peak, falling 38% between 2022 and 2025, according to a report by Accenture.

At the same time, demand for skills linked to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data management is rising rapidly.

The report describes this as a broader shift in the labour market, with roles centred on routine and repetitive tasks shrinking whilst jobs that combine technical expertise, analytical thinking, and industry knowledge continue to expand.

The report says jobs themselves are not disappearing. Entry-level postings rose 8% in 2025, but employers are now seeking a different mix of skills than before.

The findings point to a wider move toward skills-based hiring, where specialised and practical capabilities are becoming more important than job titles alone.

Amongst young Singaporeans surveyed, 95% said Singapore’s goal of becoming a leader in AI is achievable, although only 31% strongly agreed that the ambition is focused on people.

The survey also found significant gaps in AI-related skills among entry-level workers. About 81% said they had little or no understanding of prompt engineering, making it the most commonly identified skills gap, whilst 80% reported limited or no understanding of AI ethics and governance.

Although 78% said they use AI for research, 61% for writing and editing, and 50% for basic data analysis, the report noted that deeper practical knowledge remains limited.

Concerns over AI are also growing. Around 45% of respondents said they were worried about keeping pace with developments in AI, whilst 38% feared being replaced by workers with stronger AI skills.

The report also highlighted low levels of employee trust in workplace AI adoption. Only 23% of Singaporean employees said they trust their employers to act in their best interests when implementing AI, whilst 47% cited a lack of leadership support as the biggest obstacle to AI upskilling.

By comparison, Accenture’s Pulse of Change research found that 83% of employees globally trust their organisations and leaders to invest in AI in ways that benefit both workers and businesses.