The most in demand IT skills and competencies
As we advance toward 2026, the technology landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed.
Our daily contact with IT leaders and our recent research, involving 155 CIOs, managing over $6 billion in IT budgets, reveals not only which technical skills are most sought after but also how the expectations for technology leadership are fundamentally shifting.
The Most In-Demand Technical Skills and Roles
The current market demand reflects both emerging technology adoption and foundational digital transformation needs. Here are the critical skills driving hiring and career advancement:
Emerging Technology Skills
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning:
Leading the pack, AI and ML skills are essential across industries. North American organisations particularly prioritise AI implementation, with over half of CIOs citing AI exploration as their primary strategic focus. Key competencies include:
Creating and managing AI/ML systems
Deploying and fine-tuning large language models (LLMs)
Applying generative AI for both internal transformation and new product development
Understanding AI ethics and responsible implementation
Cybersecurity Expertise, particularly crucial for UK/EMEA organisations where security and compliance top the priority list, cybersecurity skills encompass:
Advanced threat detection and response
Regulatory compliance management (GDPR, industry-specific regulations)
Risk assessment and management
Security architecture and governance
Zero-trust implementation
Core Infrastructure and Development Skills
Cloud Computing Mastery Proficiency across major platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) remains in high demand, supporting:
Hybrid and multi-cloud architecture
Cloud migration strategies
Cost optimisation and resource management
Cloud-native application development
Data Science & Analytics:
The ability to extract actionable insights from large datasets continues to drive demand:
Advanced analytics and visualisation
Big data processing and management
Business intelligence development
Predictive modelling and forecasting
Software Development & DevOps Foundation skills that remain critical include:
Modern programming languages and frameworks
DevOps practices and automation
Agile development methodologies
API development and integration
Containerisation and orchestration
We are also seeing a demand for specialised roles in product management.
Technology-savvy product managers who can bridge business and technical priorities are increasingly valuable, particularly those who can:
Shepherd AI-enabled solutions from concept to market
Balance technical feasibility with business outcomes
Manage complex stakeholder requirements
UX/UI Design Digital experience design remains central to customer retention and engagement, especially in our digital-first economy.
Digital Marketing & Growth Technical marketing expertise that leverages data and automation for business growth.
Essential Leadership Competencies for IT Executives
The Evolved CIO: From Technologist to Business Strategist
Business-Technology Alignment Modern CIOs are expected to act as integrators, ensuring technology decisions directly enable strategic business outcomes. This requires:
Strategic thinking and business acumen
Ability to translate technology potential into measurable business value
Deep understanding of industry dynamics and competitive landscape
Financial literacy to articulate ROI and business cases
Expanded Strategic Influence The CIO's voice is becoming more prominent at the executive table, shaping decisions far beyond IT:
Executive presence and communication skills
Stakeholder management across all business functions
Board-level presentation and advisory capabilities
Change management and transformation leadership
Core Leadership Competencies for 2025-2026
Data and Security Stewardship With rising regulatory demands and cybersecurity risks, CIOs serve as guardians of trust, compliance, and resilience:
Risk management and governance expertise
Data privacy and regulatory compliance leadership
Crisis management and incident response
Building security culture across organizations
Innovation Catalyst CIOs are leading efforts to accelerate innovation cycles and embed agility across the enterprise:
Technology adoption and implementation strategy
Agile practices and methodology leadership
Innovation pipeline management
Emerging technology evaluation and pilot programs
Researcher and Educator Many CIOs see their role as explorers of emerging technologies and educators, helping boards and executive teams understand implications:
Continuous learning and technology trend analysis
Executive education and advisory capabilities
Cross-functional collaboration and influence
Technology evangelism and thought leadership
Universal Challenges Driving Competency Requirements
Our research identified several universal challenges that shape required competencies:
Talent Scarcity:
Management Skills in cloud, data, and AI remain in short supply, making talent-related competencies critical:
Team building and talent development
Skills assessment and gap analysis
Creating learning cultures and upskilling programs
Competitive talent acquisition strategies
Budget Optimisation - balancing BAU vs innovation requires sophisticated financial and strategic thinking:
Portfolio management and investment prioritisation
Cost optimisation while enabling innovation
Business case development and ROI measurement
Resource allocation and efficiency optimisation
Organisational Readiness: Leadership buy-in, culture, and ability to absorb transformation determine implementation success:
Cultural change management
Organizational design and capability building
Communication and influence across all levels
Building consensus and driving adoption
Regional Considerations
North America Focus: Leaders look to prioritise AI/ML competencies alongside strategic innovation leadership, as organisations move faster on AI implementation.
UK/EMEA Emphasis: Security and compliance expertise paired with regulatory navigation skills are essential, given the complex regulatory climate and focus on structural foundations.
Key Takeaways for IT Professionals and Leaders:
Technical Skills Foundation:
Master the core emerging technologies—AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud computing—while maintaining strong development and data competencies.
Strategic Leadership Development:
Invest in business acumen, communication skills, and strategic thinking capabilities that enable influence beyond the IT function.
Balanced Skill Portfolio:
Combine deep technical expertise with broad business understanding, emphasizing the ability to translate between technical and business domains.
Continuous Adaptation:
The role continues evolving rapidly; success requires ongoing learning and adaptation to new technologies and changing business expectations.
Regional Awareness:
Understand that priorities and pace vary by region—tailor your skill development to match local market demands and regulatory requirements.