The U.S. labor market is slowing, but attention to AI talent is surging, even as other areas contract. This volatile environment is creating both challenges and opportunities for HR leaders.
Enterprise AI platform Veritone’s Q3 2025 Labor Market Analysis, which uses BLS data to track hiring, job openings and pay trends across tech and AI roles, provides insights into where competition is fiercest and which roles are growing fastest.
Some major companies stand out due to the volume of AI‑related job postings, according to Veritone. Tech giants continue to dominate AI hiring, with Amazon leading the pack at 1,004 open positions, followed by Apple with 698 roles and TikTok with 654 roles. These three companies have maintained their positions as the top AI employers throughout 2025.
Veritone also reported JPMorgan Chase and Walmart show a significant number of AI-related job openings, demonstrating that AI talent demand is expanding beyond pure technology companies into financial services and retail.
Overall job openings fell 25% in the third quarter, according to the report. By contrast, AI-related roles increased 14% quarter on quarter, reaching roughly 42,000 positions. This is up nearly 39% from last year.
The biggest gains in AI hiring are in roles that implement and scale solutions. Veritone found that AI/ML architect positions nearly doubled year on year, rising from 734 to 1,444 postings. Meanwhile, AI/ML researcher roles declined 9% from the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, salaries for research positions climbed about 24% since the previous quarter to $187,491. Fewer openings combined with higher pay show the market for top research talent is extremely tight. AI roles command a median salary of $166,400, roughly 27% higher than non-AI IT positions.
While major tech hubs remain important, growth in non-traditional states is also notable. Oklahoma nearly doubled AI job openings from 61 to 116, while Michigan, Washington D.C., Missouri and Utah also saw strong gains.
HR tech in the news
UKG is now offering Top Top HR Tech Product Chime Workplace through its UKG Marketplace. This financial wellness suite integrates with UKG’s Workforce Operating Platform, aimed at helping employees manage their finances more effectively.
Another Top HR Tech Product, pre-hire assessment provider Plum, launched the Durable Skills Index 2025, analyzing 59,000+ respondents across 27 industries. The index measures foundational workforce skills tied to thinking, relating and leadership, found to be more critical than perishable technical skills as technology evolves and industries shift.
Vivian Health, an online healthcare talent marketplace, has partnered with Hallmark Health Care Solutions, a workforce intelligence platform. The collaboration integrates Vivian’s AI-enabled hiring technology into Hallmark’s platform.
MedCerts, a leader in online healthcare and IT training, partnered with Apprenti to expand Registered Apprenticeships in life science fields. The collaboration provides on-the-job learning and mentorship for critical healthcare roles.
Fintech platform Lettuce Financial secured $28 million in funding led by Zeev Ventures to expand its AI-powered operating system for one-person businesses. The company also acquired benefits startup Besolo, adding healthcare options to its financial tools suite for growth-focused entrepreneurs.
More HR tech news
WTW received Leapfrog Group approval of its Culture of Safety Survey for healthcare organizations. The seven-item survey assesses leadership mindset and local behaviors cultivating positive patient safety culture, helping organizations identify strengths, address gaps and reduce incidents efficiently.
A new employee management platform for healthcare called Planbase has launched. The startup raised $2.1 million from angel investors and Y Combinator and LocalGlobe to expand into medium- to large-sized clinics nationwide and hire additional engineers.
Go1, a content aggregator for L&D leaders, released research on AI upskilling. A survey of 2,000 learners and professionals across the U.S., UK and Australia, recently found 57% used AI-driven learning tools, with nearly 70% engaging weekly.
Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology launched PATHWISE, an online tool mapping U.S. AI and cybersecurity talent. The platform tracks state-level demand, university talent pipelines and provides workforce data for policymakers, industry leaders and educators nationwide.
Perk (formerly TravelPerk) commissioned a Forrester study showing companies lose $1.7 trillion yearly to hidden tasks like expense filing. Employees spend seven hours weekly on such “shadow work,” with 45% citing it as a top burnout factor.
London School of Economics and consulting firm Protiviti found that AI users save 7.5 hours weekly, the equivalent of about one workday or $18,000 per employee annually. Yet, 68% received no AI training last year, leaving productivity gains untapped.
HR tech people moves
Kristen Uhl Hulse joined law firm Haynes Boone as Chief Talent Officer, based in Denver. She will align human resources, attorney development, recruiting, inclusion and engagement functions to build a unified talent strategy across the firm.
Michelle Deitchman has been appointed Chief People Officer at A Place for Mom, a senior care advisory platform. Previously SVP/Head of HR at The Hartford, she drove record engagement and retention during global expansion.
Sandy Kuohn was appointed Chief People Officer at commerce platform WEX. The HR executive aims to help WEX scale operations and build programs enabling high-performing cultures for disciplined growth.
McLee Smith has been appointed New York Market leader for the health and benefits business at WTW. He will lead regional growth and manage client relationships. Smith joins from Gallagher, where he served as area president for the New York/New Jersey metro.
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