As artificial intelligence technologies reshape work, teams are being pushed to innovate faster while maintaining secure, stable environments.
At the same time, they are facing gaps in specialized skills, according to a research report from staffing and recruitment firm Robert Half.
For example, more than half of technology leaders say skills shortages have led to project delays in the last year, RH data shows, and more than one-third report that projects have been cancelled.
Leaders are responding by expanding permanent teams as well as increasing use of contract professionals to support critical work, according to Robert Half.
Organizations that adopt flexible staffing strategies and also recruit professionals with strong technical and soft skills will be better positioned to accelerate innovation, prioritize security, and support evolving business and technology needs, the report suggests.
Shortages in roles related to AI, cybersecurity, and software development suggest such skills are valuable for talent to learn. The top “soft” skills complementing AI proficiency in 2026 are critical thinking, adaptability, creativity, communication, and emotional intelligence.
High-demand roles in 2026 include AI engineer, cybersecurity analyst, data scientist, and software developer.
Nearly half of tech leaders plan to increase permanent headcount in the second half of 2026, with one-third intending to bolster contract —but an even higher number lament that finding skilled professionals is more challenging than a year ago, despite tech workers recently re-engaging with the market.
One issue might be that some Canadians are exaggerating their skills to tap into the hot demand of AI expertise.
In addition to hiring, a strong majority of leaders in Canada are investing in upskilling their existing workforce on AI tech.
