The rise of generative artificial intelligence has led to a sharp increase in demand for cybersecurity professionals, even as the tech sector faces widespread layoffs. This was reported by The New York Times.
According to the publication, corporations are actively hiring data protection engineers due to the increased vulnerabilities created by AI-generated code. The situation has been exacerbated by the release of the Mythos neural network from Anthropic, which has demonstrated a high capacity for identifying and exploiting bugs in critical infrastructure.
According to forecasts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for information security specialists is expected to grow by 29% over the next decade, with around 16,000 new job openings anticipated each year.
Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora confirmed this trend, noting that AI does not replace engineers but rather increases the demand for them. He stated that the company's workforce grew by nearly 1,000 employees in the first half of the 2026 fiscal year.
Employers have become more selective, now requiring candidates to possess skills at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Meanwhile, salaries for top executives in this field have reached record highs of $7 million to $8 million per year.
The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report identified the talent shortage as the main barrier to digital resilience. Approximately 94% of respondents believe that artificial intelligence will be a key factor in transforming the industry over the next year.
Despite the automation of routine tasks, experts believe that the value of professionals capable of auditing and securing AI systems will only increase. However, entry-level positions in development continue to decline under the pressure of neural networks.
It is worth noting that in February, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that some companies are using artificial intelligence as an excuse for layoffs.