In 2025, a growing share of IT specialists are moving into neural network development and big data. Against a backdrop of fewer traditional IT vacancies and rising competition (with up to nine resumes per role), many are retraining as machine learning engineers, NLP experts, and prompt engineers. The AI segment is expanding steadily: there are on average only two candidates per opening, and salaries can reach 12500 $ per month.
The market itself is transforming. Employers increasingly seek not broad “junior” or “mid-level” specialists, but for pinpoint skills — from crafting prompts for LLMs to configuring neural-network architectures. Job titles often remain familiar (developer, analyst), but AI tasks are now embedded within them. For many seasoned engineers, especially from backend backgrounds, moving into AI has become a logical next step.
Ksenia Sheremetyeva, Selecty COO:
The market itself is transforming. Employers increasingly seek not broad “junior” or “mid-level” specialists, but for pinpoint skills — from crafting prompts for LLMs to configuring neural-network architectures. Job titles often remain familiar (developer, analyst), but AI tasks are now embedded within them. For many seasoned engineers, especially from backend backgrounds, moving into AI has become a logical next step.
Ksenia Sheremetyeva, Selecty COO:
«We see a clear trend: experienced developers with a strong technical background are becoming the backbone of new AI teams and ramping up fastest in ML tracks. Within 1–2 years, such specialists can reach mid-level and earn from 2500$. Senior-level NLP roles are already offering 9000$ to 13000$».
Demand for AI skills will only grow. According to HSE ICEF forecasts, the number of AI professionals in Russia could increase nearly tenfold by 2035. Moreover, AIis leaping far beyond IT: it is already being actively deployed in finance, logistics, and industry.