Number of Job Openings for Programmers Increases by 30%

According to new data, the number of job openings for software engineers has surged by 30% since the beginning of 2026. This increase is the largest in the past three years and more than double the decline observed in 2023. This information was reported by Business Insider, citing research from the analytical company TrueUp.

As of the time of publication, there were approximately 67,000 open positions in the software development sector. These figures partially contradict the common belief that artificial intelligence is massively displacing workers from their jobs. However, researchers emphasize that the situation in the labor market may be more complicated for candidates trying to find employment.

In February of this year, the stock market briefly dipped following the publication of a speculative article discussing the potential rise in unemployment due to the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. The article suggested that the unemployment rate in the United States could reach 10.2% due to the replacement of office workers with new technologies.

Despite the increase in job openings, experts advise against making hasty conclusions. In recent years, job searching across various sectors, not just in IT, has become more challenging due to the prevalence of fake job postings and automated selection systems. This leads to candidates facing difficulties in the hiring process.

Journalist Annie Laurie notes that young people are increasingly using ChatGPT to write resumes, while HR systems employ artificial intelligence to verify them. As a result, the hiring process is becoming less effective, as the best candidates are not always selected; instead, those who better fit the selection algorithms are often chosen.

Another journalist, Eleanor Margolis, emphasizes that the hiring process is so automated that it gives the impression that jobs are going to those who adapt better to the system rather than the best candidates. This raises concerns about the quality of candidates who are passing the selection process.

Moreover, the nature of programmers' work is also changing. Research shows that artificial intelligence tools can increase the volume of software creation. For instance, the number of new applications in the Apple App Store rose by 30% from 2024 to 2025, indicating active growth in this sector.

One Google engineer, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about the mass creation of code, noting that it could negatively impact the quality of software. According to him, while the idea that anyone can write code sounds appealing, the large volume of subpar software is detrimental to all market participants.

Researchers also suggest that the so-called 'vibe coding effect' may already be creating new jobs, but this does not mean that the labor market situation has improved. Therefore, it is crucial to continue monitoring the developments in the labor market and the impact of technologies on employment in this field.