AI-ML Hiring Up 25% in May 2025 Amidst 5% IT Sector Dip

In May 2025, hiring in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) segment increased by 25% compared to the same month last year. This data comes from the Naukri JobSpeak May 2025 report, which tracks job listings, recruiter activity, and applications on the Naukri platform.

IT Sector Down 5%

While AI/ML roles saw growth, the Information Technology( IT) sector recorded a 5% decline in hiring year-on-year. This is a continued slowdown in overall IT recruitment, even as specific segments like AI/ML remain active.

Other Sectors: Mixed Activity

Hiring in real estate rose 5%, and the insurance sector saw a 6% increase. On the other hand, sectors such as retail, telecom/ISP, and traditional banking and finance posted declines in hiring, ranging from 8% to 9%. Within banking and financial services, however, hiring by unicorns went up by 29%.

City-Wise Hiring Trends

Hiring activity was higher in certain cities. Kochi reported an 8% increase and Hyderabad saw a 7% rise. Both cities saw a larger share of senior-level hiring, especially among professionals with over 16 years of experience. Pune recorded a 4% increase in total hiring, largely due to a 26% rise in recruitment by startups based in the city.

Read more: AI-Driven Hiring Booms in 2025, with 74% of Employers Targeting Freshers

Focus on Experience

The report indicates steady demand for senior professionals across sectors. A noticeable portion of hiring growth in Kochi and Hyderabad came from this group.

Data Basis

The JobSpeak index reflects hiring activity by analysing job listings and applications across sectors, cities, and experience levels. The index is released monthly.

Conclusion

Hiring in AI/ML roles continued to rise in May 2025, while overall IT sector hiring declined. Growth in cities like Kochi, Hyderabad, and Pune came mostly from startups and senior-level roles, while other industries such as retail and telecom showed reduced activity.

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