50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, as technology adoption accelerates,” according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report. With tech evolving at lightning speed, companies are ready to pay top dollar for tech professionals who bring hyperspecialized, in-demand skills to the table.
Curious about the top tech skills you’ll need for 2025 and beyond? This article breaks down the must-haves to advance your IT career. And don’t stress if you’re not an expert in these areas yet—there’s always room to learn and grow.
After years in this industry, one thing I know for sure is that no technology stays at the top forever. The tech landscape is always evolving, with new breakthroughs every year that push companies to keep up.
Check out the article and see which skills you’re ready to tackle next!
Understanding Technical Skills Meaning in Today’s Job Market
But first, let’s set the stage for today’s job market.
As we discuss in Hiring 360°—the first report from Inclusion Cloud’s AXIS lab—the hiring market is shifting fast, with Gen AI now a central player. The rise of Gen AI tools—already used by 72% of developers for coding tasks—has dramatically accelerated the software development chain, enabling developers to code and test at lightning speed.
But how does this impact tech hiring? Technical skills alone aren’t enough anymore. Companies are searching for talent who can code, but they’re also looking for people who bring adaptability and communication skills to their teams.
With Gen AI changing the game, developers are stepping into more strategic roles, guiding AI-driven solutions through execution.
Want the full picture? You can download a free copy of the e-book, Hiring 360°: Balancing Skills, Communication, and Time Zone for the Perfect Candidate, to see what’s shaping the future of tech hiring.
What Are the Top Tech Skills Every Company Wants on a Resume in 2025?
We’re seeing a clear trend: companies want hyperspecialized talent with skills that match the latest technologies shaping digital workplaces. So, here’s the list of tech skills every recruiter is hoping to see on your resume.
And don’t stress if you’re not an expert in these areas yet! The more specialized these skills are, the tougher they are to find, which means companies are willing to pay a premium for those who have them. The good news? You can always learn and grow in these fields, especially since these technologies are still emerging. Trust me—these skills will be top of mind for every C-level executive in the next five years.
Ready to check out the list? Let’s go!
Tech Skills List for 2025: Highest-Paid Skills in Demand
Trend #1: Why Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) Are the Next Big Thing
What It Is: Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) involve multiple AI programs, or “agents,” working together to achieve specific goals, often in real-time and with the ability to be “sensitive” to changes in the environment. This doesn’t mean that agentic AI is sentient, but it does mean it can respond autonomously to dynamic situations and adjust its actions based on real-time inputs.
In practice, this allows MAS to handle complex tasks, like coordinating autonomous vehicles to prevent collisions or managing robotic teams in manufacturing.
So, why did we choose this technology as a top field with big career opportunities? Well, according to Gartner, by 2028, at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through agentic AI, up from 0% in 2024. Many researchers predict we’re moving from the generative wave to the agentic wave of AI. Next stop: AGI? We’ll see (and maybe sooner than you’d think!).
Fields of Action: Robotics, autonomous vehicles, smart city planning, gaming, and e-commerce.
Skills Required:
- Proficiency in reinforcement learning and artificial intelligence.
- Understanding of agent-based modeling and distributed systems.
- Familiarity with algorithms for decision-making and real-time data processing.
Technologies Used:
- MAS platforms like JADE (Java Agent DEvelopment Framework), which helps develop multi-agent systems.
- AI frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch for enabling decisions and interactions between agents.
How to Develop This Skill:
- Enroll in courses on reinforcement learning and agent-based modeling.
- Practice by creating small MAS projects, such as traffic simulations or collaborative robots.
- Explore open-source MAS projects on GitHub to build your understanding and experience.
Trend #2: Hybrid Computing Environments
What It Is: This dual approach provides a “best of both worlds” solution that supports mission-critical applications and meets regulatory requirements.
In his Oracle CloudWorld keynote, Larry Ellison emphasized the importance of hybrid environments as the “new phase” of cloud computing, where different cloud services work seamlessly together. He noted that customers no longer want isolated cloud systems; they need flexible, multi-cloud setups that enable interoperability. By 2028, as more companies embrace this approach, hybrid computing will become central to operational efficiency and security. This shift makes hybrid skills increasingly valuable as companies seek talent who can integrate cloud systems with on-premises resources to reduce latency and enhance performance.
Fields of Action: Cloud infrastructure, data-intensive applications, IoT, and distributed computing.
Skills Required:
- Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.
- Proficiency in containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
- Understanding of hybrid cloud architectures that combine on-premises and cloud environments.
- Skills in virtualization tools, such as VMware and Hyper-V, for managing virtual environments.
Technologies Used:
- Hybrid cloud platforms such as Azure Arc, AWS Outposts, Google Anthos, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
- Orchestration tools like Kubernetes, which simplify deployment across diverse environments.
- Automation tools like Terraform and Ansible to streamline hybrid cloud management and provisioning.
How to Develop This Skill:
- Start with foundational cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, Google Cloud Professional, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect).
- Experiment with Kubernetes and Docker to learn containerization and orchestration.
- Explore virtualization solutions like VMware and Hyper-V to understand on-premises infrastructure.
Trend #3: The Rise of Deepfake Phishing Detection
What It Is: Deepfake detection focuses on identifying fake or manipulated digital content created using AI. Deepfakes, such as synthetic videos or audio recordings, can be used in “deepfake phishing”—a dangerous type of cyber-attack where AI creates convincing fake media to deceive and defraud. The rapid advancement of this technology is becoming a significant security threat, with deepfake videos online increasing by 900% each year, as reported by the World Economic Forum.
With deepfake phishing on the rise, the ability to detect and prevent these attacks is more than a skill—it’s a vital line of defense for today’s organizations. Nick Baca-Storni, Chief Revenue Officer at Inclusion Cloud, describes the unique “invisibility” of deepfake phishing, noting how these attacks blend seamlessly with authentic communications, posing a serious threat to corporate security. With 90% of online content projected to be synthetically generated by 2026, detecting deepfakes is now crucial for organizations to protect themselves from risks like financial fraud, reputation damage, and compliance issues.
Fields of Action: Cybersecurity, media, law enforcement, corporate communications.
Skills Required:
- Familiarity with digital forensics and computer vision for spotting manipulated content.
- Understanding of machine learning models, especially GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), used to create synthetic media.
- Proficiency in AI-based tools that detect facial mapping, voice synthesis, and video manipulation.
Technologies Used:
- Deepfake detection platforms such as FaceForensics++ and D-ID.
- AI tools like GANs, which power synthetic content creation, and OpenCV for image and video analysis.
- Specialized tools for detecting synthetic audio, including voice cloning and synthesis detection software.
How to Develop This Skill:
- Train your eye to spot deepfake signals like unnatural facial expressions, mismatched audio, or subtle glitches.
- Build a habit of verifying suspicious content by cross-referencing sources and encouraging a team culture of second checks.
- Practice with tools like OpenCV and FaceForensics++ to enhance your detection capabilities.
Trend #4: Enterprise Integration—The Glue That Holds Operations Together
What It Is: With the rapid rise of SaaS and Gen AI tools, companies are using more applications than ever. According to MuleSoft’s 2024 Connectivity Benchmark Report, the average organization now relies on 1,061 different applications, yet only 28% of these are integrated. This growing number of disconnected tools creates significant challenges in ensuring that employees can access the data they need for daily work.
When critical information is siloed in separate apps, organizations struggle with knowledge management—giving people access to the collective insights built within the company and reducing friction between departments. This is where integration comes in, serving as the backbone for connecting data, platforms, and people.
To achieve this, integration skills are essential, encompassing API management (for secure and efficient data sharing across applications), iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) for seamless cloud integration, ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) for connecting enterprise systems, and EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) for managing and automating workflows. Each of these integration types plays a role in creating a cohesive digital ecosystem that scales Gen AI, supports knowledge flow, and reduces friction across teams.
Fields of Action: IT infrastructure, business intelligence, finance, digital marketing, customer service, and knowledge management.
Skills Required:
- Proficiency in API management, data integration, and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.
- Familiarity with platforms like MuleSoft, IntegrationHub, and Dell Boomi for iPaaS, IBM App Connect for ESB, and SAP PI for EAI.
- Knowledge of data privacy and security standards for handling cross-platform data.
- Ability to design and manage scalable, secure data pipelines across diverse environments.
Technologies Used:
- Integration platforms like MuleSoft, IntegrationHub, and Zapier.
- Data processing tools such as Apache Kafka, Informatica, and Talend.
- API management tools for facilitating communication and data flow between applications.
How to Develop This Skill:
- Start with Certifications: Build a foundation with certifications in leading integration platforms like MuleSoft.
- Practice with Real-World Scenarios: Create integration projects that involve APIs, iPaaS, ESB, and EAI to get hands-on experience.
- Focus on Security: Learn best practices for secure data transfer and governance across systems.
- Keep Up with Trends: Follow industry reports like MuleSoft’s for insights into best practices and emerging challenges in the integration space.
Trend #5: Guardrail Engineering for Agentic AI
What It Is: As Agentic AI becomes widely accessible, companies can now delegate a surprising level of decision-making authority to AI agents—from making purchases and sales to generating marketing campaigns and managing supply chains. For the first time in history, organizations have the tools to automate agency in ways that could profoundly shape operations and customer interactions. However, as this technology gains ground, the need to establish ethical and business guardrails has never been more critical.
Guardrail engineering ensures that AI agents operate within defined ethical and business boundaries, balancing innovation with responsible AI usage. These guardrails help prevent unintended actions, ensure alignment with business goals, and uphold ethical standards. Without this structure, AI agents may make decisions or act in ways that don’t reflect a company’s values or interests, which could harm its reputation, increase risks, or even lead to regulatory issues.
Fields of Action: AI governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, ethical AI development, customer service automation, supply chain management, marketing, and finance.
Skills Required:
- Knowledge of AI ethics and responsible AI practices to ensure decisions align with organizational values.
- Familiarity with policy and compliance standards related to AI, including GDPR, CCPA, and industry-specific regulations.
- Proficiency in explainability tools that help interpret AI decisions and ensure transparency.
- Skills in designing control mechanisms that restrict AI actions based on predefined boundaries and objectives.
Technologies Used:
- Explainable AI (XAI) tools like SHAP and LIME to interpret AI decisions and make them more transparent.
- Policy engines and rule-based systems that define and enforce limits for AI agents.
- AI governance platforms that oversee agentic AI compliance and ethical adherence.
- Privacy-preserving techniques like differential privacy for secure, responsible data handling.
How to Develop This Skill:
- Start with courses in AI ethics, responsible AI practices, and governance.
- Use tools like SHAP and LIME to interpret AI decisions, understand model behaviors, and build transparency.
- Experiment with policy engines and rule-based systems to set boundaries on AI actions.
- Follow industry guidelines and new regulations around AI, as these will define the boundaries for ethical and compliant AI use.
What’s Ahead for You in 2025
This is our walkthrough of the technical skills that will be the most desired by companies across various industries, not just software firms. Through digital transformation initiatives, it’s fair to say that almost every large company is, at least in part, a software company.
So, technical skills will continue to hold primary importance, helping these companies build digital assets to reap the benefits of technology in terms of innovation, cost savings, and alleviating the workload for employees.
But, as we predicted in our Hiring 360° report from our new AXIS lab, things are in a state of rapid change. With the rise of smarter and more autonomous AI technology, what’s expected from software developers and engineers is evolving quickly.
Today, to be an attractive candidate in the job market, you need to cultivate essential social skills such as communication abilities, problem-solving skills, and, most importantly, develop a strategic view of how technology integrates with business processes. The reason for this shift is that AI will increasingly take on the role of executing tasks that currently require human involvement.
Discover more details of the report here. And if you’re looking for job opportunities, visit our LinkedIn page for open positions.
And if what you’re looking for is strategic help to face the challenges of 2025 and you’re lacking the right resources, book a call with us here. We’ll be more than happy to connect with you!