AI Staffing

1. What is the impact of AI on the future of work?

Job replacement and creation

Fears of widespread unemployment tend to surface whenever a new wave of technological advancement occurs. Consider the intense reactions to the advent of the internet and self-checkouts. People responded from a place of resistance; a fear of the unknown. We saw the same response arise in 2023 as AI cut through the mainstream, exacerbated by sensationalist headlines of job destruction (as seen in years gone by).

The AI effect signals ever-increasing reliance on technology in the world of work, and with it, a redefinition of job roles. But AI is anticipated to create more jobs than it will replace. Experts predict AI has the potential to create millions of jobs, even as others become automated. As AI augments our workflows, new specialisations are emerging in data-driven industries such as Information Technology, Healthcare and Marketing. Meanwhile, roles in administration and customer support are experiencing changes of their own in subtler ways.

Meanwhile, of the millions of jobs to be created by AI, 10 specialised roles are growing in demand:

Data Analysts and Scientists
AI and Machine Learning Specialists
Big Data Specialists
Digital Marketing and Strategy Specialists
Process Automation Specialists
Business Development Professionals
Digital Transformation Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Software and Application Developers
Internet of Things Specialists

How is AI redefining jobs?

Roles across a range of industries are gradually integrating AI, which is evolving the ways work gets done. While every role won’t undergo drastic transformation, almost every one will undergo some form of change.

This means job roles, and their relationship with AI, can now be understood by the degree to which they engage AI at work:

AI-specialised roles involve leveraging AI tools day to day, as a Machine Learning Specialist would, whereas;
AI-augmented roles see tasks occasionally enhanced by AI, such as supporting the work of a Customer Service Officer.

For details of evolving and emerging roles, see AI’s Role in Job Growth.

Workforce adaptation

In order to remain competitive, organisations and their workforces must bridge the AI skills gap. This calls for significant investment in upskilling and reskilling. In fact, leaders estimate that 40% of their workforce has to reskill in the next three years. The impact of AI on the workforce will be long lasting, with a trend towards automaton and specialisation. You can witness the effects of AI in business process outsourcing (BPO), an industry embracing the benefits of human-AI collaboration.

Large companies are leading the charge in creating the changes necessary to derive future value from AI. By adjusting workflows, they are beginning to see the benefits of efficiencies. Additionally, a McKinsey Global Survey on AI found that larger companies are now hiring for a broad range of AI-related roles, more so than smaller organisations. For the latter, the challenge lies in operationalising the change.

Furthermore, budget constraints and limited access to tools and data can prevent AI upskilling. But when an organisation manages to close the gap, the potential for growth is significant.

Productivity and growth

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the world economy. A PricewaterhouseCoopers study estimates that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion in economic value in 2030, 42% of which is likely to result from increased productivity. For those interested in the potential of generative AI — hailed as ‘the next productivity frontier’ — this alone presents $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion in value to be captured.

AI technologies present an exciting opportunity to automate activities, particularly for knowledge workers. Yet, the largest opportunity of all lies in human-AI collaboration. Because, contrary to popular belief, AI isn’t a replacement for human beings.

AI technologies are increasingly viewed as tools that augment our capabilities, allowing workers to focus on doing more of what they do best. Human-AI collaboration opens up the capacity for greater strategic and creative thinking, and problem solving, while AI handles repetitive or data-intensive tasks. It can also be used as an assistant that provides valuable insights for better decision making. In short: human-AI collaboration increases productivity and impact.

The message for leaders

Change is already happening — and fast. The time to prepare for AI and the future of work is now. Leaders should act by planning for a dynamic future and be willing to identify and adapt to a number of evolving scenarios created by AI. Agility and speed are paramount.

In order to realise the value of human-AI collaboration, it is important to nurture adaptability in your organisation, lest it be left behind. One part of creating a shift in the right direction involves securing the right people with the right mix of skills, including AI competency.

2. The key barriers to local AI staffing

1. Shortage of skilled talent

If we turn our attention to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, we see that half of leaders worldwide cite a lack of skills to support AI adoption. A persistent gap in AI skills exists, despite such skills being recognised as most important for growth. Almost two-thirds of the report survey respondents plan to hire professionals skilled in AI. This includes people with the skills to design the tools (think building an AI agent), as well as AI-augmented professionals who can work alongside AI.

However, skill gaps in the labour market are reportedly the number one perceived barrier to business transformation, say 63% of respondents. Additionally, employers’ outlook on talent availability has decreased since 2023 — 42% expect availability to drop over the 2025-2030 period. This indicates increased concerns about finding the right talent to support growth.

2. Competition in securing top talent

In response to recent AI trends, 70% of organisations surveyed plan to hire new staff with emerging in-demand skills, with a portion planning to offshore significant parts of their workforce.

Little has changed in this regard: competition for exceptional talent remains fierce, as organisations compete to find and secure the best people available. Over one third of respondents in the aforementioned World Economic Forum survey say an inability to attract talent to the industry will hinder their organisational transformation. Employers are also less positive about talent retention than the previous report, particularly organisations operating in high-income economies such as the US and UK, and to a lesser extent, Australia.

3. Organisational resistance to change

One of the challenges in building AI-skilled teams can be an organisation’s culture. Employees and employers alike may fear AI transformation and what embracing it could mean for their futures. These concerns are prevalent in industries and roles where increased automation is likely, but the key is to act early. A culture marred by resistance to change could stall progress. Or worse, a lack of leadership vision may mean AI staffing isn’t a priority at all.

4. High salary expectations

While the value of AI at work is clear, what’s unclear for organisations is the high cost of hiring specialised AI roles. In order to access specialist skills, you can expect to pay up to a 25% wage premium on average, according to PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer.

The average wage premium for job vacancies requiring AI skills in major markets are as follows:

+6% premium in Australia
+11% premium in Canada
+25% premium in the United States
+14% premium in the United Kingdom

The premium paid depends entirely on the role. For example, US organisations hiring a Database Administrator could pay +53% in wages (compared to non-AI postings for the same occupation), whereas an Accountant attracts an additional 18%. Evidently, small and medium-sized enterprises will find it especially difficult to access the talent they need. This offers one explanation as to why AI outsourcing is fast becoming a key sourcing strategy for growth-focused companies.

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3. Why outsourced AI staffing unlocks growth

The barriers to building talented, highly-skilled teams aren’t insurmountable. The solution lies in changing your sourcing strategy. By offshore outsourcing AI staff, organisations experience a number of great benefits.

Here’s why outsourced AI staffing unlocks growth.

It lowers costs

Offshore outsourcing professionals, particularly those who have AI capabilities, represents a financial advantage for organisations seeking growth. Significant savings on salaries often motivate this sourcing strategy. Companies that outsourced typically save up to 75% of the costs of hiring onshore staff. But there’s more to lowering costs than optimising labour. You can reduce expenses in recruitment, training and infrastructure, which allows funds to be redirected to other areas of the business, enabling growth.

It secures skilled talent

Scarce onshore talent. AI staffing competition. Add the high cost of local salaries, and sourcing great people begins to seem like an impossible feat. Instead of confining themselves to the local market, smart organisations look internationally. Outsourcing allows access to a large network of skilled, qualified professionals, where you can tap niche expertise and AI capabilities. Additionally, outsourcing providers stay updated on the latest advancements, so teams’ expertise continually evolves.

It increases efficiency

AI-powered outsourced teams dramatically improve operational efficiency. The positive impact is hard to ignore — it’s felt organisation-wide and by customers. Through outsourcing roles, teams or whole departments, productivity, quality and speed increase.

For example, basing teams offshore means projects keep moving while onshore teams sleep, which propels everyone toward its completion. In a similar vein, strategic selection of an outsourcing destination can establish 24/7 customer service and technical support, expanding overall capacity.

It helps organisations scale

Outsourced AI staffing is a boon for organisations that want growth. Costs saved on recruitment, salaries and more can be allocated to strategic programs, unlocking better growth. But you won’t get far without exceptional people, which is why outsourced teams are the perfect solution to the undersupply of suitable local talent. Niche expertise, augmented by the power of AI, provides the brilliance you need for growth and the efficiencies necessary in scaling smart.

4. AI roles you should outsource (by industry)

There are hundreds of AI roles you can outsource. What makes offshore outsourcing so attractive is that you can build a team of highly skilled professionals from a breadth of industries. But first, it helps to know which roles you can access to grow your organisation. Below you will find new and emerging roles requiring AI skill sets, categorised by industry.

Keep in mind: some roles will be specialised and highly skilled in artificial intelligence, while others are occasionally augmented by AI tools.

Jump to: Administration Construction & Engineering Creative Customer Support Financial services Healthcare Information technology (IT) Marketing Professional services

Administration roles

Administrative support teams still have their place in the age of AI. Experienced outsourced admin professionals are masters in cross-functional coordination and collaboration, and play a valuable role in ensuring business runs smoothly. Organisations need staff who can maximise their output without compromising quality or ethics, which is why human-AI collaboration is pivotal. Human judgment and reasoning still matters, only now teams are bolstered by the efficiencies of AI tools.

For AI-enabled admin roles, you may wish to outsource:

Administrative Assistants
Fulfilment Specialists
Customer Service Representatives
Personal Assistants
Executive Assistants
Document Controllers
Community Moderators

Construction & Engineering roles

Building engineering teams offshore is becoming more common, with a PwC trends report estimating a 40% increase in this sourcing strategy by 2026. By outsourcing professionals in these fields, teams can drive better efficiency, safety and quality — especially when AI-assisted. Demand is rising for construction and engineering professionals who can use AI tools and interpret their data, enabling faster project planning and delivery, and supporting risk management.

Here are a few outsourced construction and engineering roles taking advantage of AI:

Architects
3D Modellers
Electrical Engineers
Civil Engineers
Structural Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
Construction Estimators
Project Managers

Creative roles

Generative AI hasn’t turned out to be the killer of creative jobs (to the relief of industry professionals). Experts say the demand for creative and design roles remains strong, with over half of creative and marketing managers hiring for new roles. Although GenAI tools lowered the barrier to entry, creative professionals in the Philippines remain sought after for their ability to create and execute concepts that resonate with brands and their audiences. AI supports the creative process; it isn’t a replacement.

You can enhance your brand with these offshore creative roles:

Graphic Designer
Creative Writer
Video Producer
Motion Graphics Designer
UX/UI Designer

Customer support roles

Customer service staff remain extremely valuable in building relationships with customers in the age of AI. The difference today is that service professionals are using artificial intelligence tools to streamline time-consuming tasks, such as digesting conversation histories. This translates into more time for service, increasing the number of resolved tickets and satisfied customers.

AI-augmented contact centre and customer support roles include:

Live Chat Agent
Reservation Agent
Customer Service Representative
Customer Care Consultant
Technical Support Officer
Call Centre Outbound Operator
Sales Representative

Whether you need an entire department or a few professionals to supplement your team, finding exceptional customer service people is easier than you might think. Just look at outsourcing to the Philippines. Demand is growing faster than India, and the Philippines was the three-time winner of the Offshoring Destination of the Year (awarded by the UK body of the Global Sourcing Association), likely due to its service-oriented culture.

Financial services roles

The global finance and accounting outsourcing market is growing at a CAGR of 6.8%, and is expected to reach $337 billion by 2028. It’s clear why: outsourcing these roles, or the entire finance function, allows organisations to focus on their core business and reduce costs.

You might be surprised to see the following finance and accounting roles can be augmented by AI:

Bookkeeper
Certified Public Accountant
Accounts Payable Officer
Accounts Receivable Officer
Tax Accountant
Financial Analyst

Healthcare roles

Growth in the healthcare sector isn’t slowing down, nor is healthcare outsourcing. For reliable staff, organisations set their sights on the Philippines. There are dozens of healthcare roles you can outsource offshore. Whether you need customer-facing or back office teams, you’ll be able to build an expert team of professionals.

However, top companies prioritise:

Medical Coders
Health Information Managers
Medical Claims Administrators
Medical Billing Specialists
Clinical Administrators
Clinical Research Coordinators
Quality Assurance Supervisors

Information technology (IT) roles

Offshore IT staff with specialised AI knowledge and skills are in high demand due to the strategic benefits of outsourcing. A comprehensive understanding of programming languages and machine learning concepts, skills in data management and processing, plus familiarity with cloud programs, can unlock real growth where skills are lacking internally.

Data Scientist
Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
Machine Learning Engineer
Natural Language Processing Specialists
AI Developer

Organisations typically hire from talent pools in India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Argentina and the Philippines, though certain roles are more concentrated in some countries than others.

Marketing roles

The content creation boom places extra pressure on marketing teams to deliver more, faster. Now that AI is in the mix, outsourced marketers are automating routine and time-consuming tasks, speeding up research and ideation, and improving the targeting of their communications. Except tools are only one part of the equation. Offshore outsourcing provides access to marketers who possess in-demand AI skills. Combined with specialised expertise, AI-enabled outsourcing can help your business implement and scale faster.

AI-enabled marketing roles that can be outsourced include (but are not limited to):

Marketing Coordinator
Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist
Content Marketer
Social Media Strategist
Technical SEO Specialist
Data Analytics Lead
Campaign Analyst

Professional services roles

Apart from the professional services roles listed above, organisations can outsource project management, education, human resources and legal expertise.

AI-enabled professional services roles are wide-ranging, and may include:

Product Owners
Human Resources Managers
Operations Managers
Project Delivery Managers
Teaching Assistants
Paralegals

These roles can have subject matter specialisations, which means your organisation has the opportunity to outsource the exact expertise it’s looking for.

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Get future-ready with outsourced AI staffing

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. How your organisation responds couldn’t be more crucial in defining its road ahead and navigating the way forward. As seen, securing a strong, skilled workforce adept in AI allows you to adapt in an ever-automated world. But even as AI becomes ubiquitous, talented outsourced teams offshore will be in the driver’s seat.

At Outsourced, we connect organisations like yours with the world’s top 1% of AI-enabled talent. Talk to us about finding elite full-time talent, and unlock better growth.

Better Growth, Unlocked: Staffing, AI, and the Future of Work

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