Tech hiring hasn't been this high since 2016, meaning that the number of jobs on offer is breaking new records despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Tech jobs have rarely been hotter: job search engine Adzuna has reported that for the past few months, there have been consistently over 100,000 tech job offers per week live on the platform, with one week in May even seeing an unprecedented peak of 132,000 offers. The data, which was compiled for the UK government's digital economy council, suggests that the industry is recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at pace. In comparison, last June saw tech vacancies fall to less than 44,000 offers. Upskilling will be a part of work's new normal.

The government is undertaking a survey of UK businesses and charities to help understand the UK AI labour market. The research will inform Government policy to promote AI-related skills. The government has asked Ipsos MORI (an independent research organisation) to carry out the research. This is taking place from August to October 2020. During this period some organisations will be called by an Ipsos MORI interviewer from their Edinburgh office inviting them to take part.