97% of ICT professionals wish to switch specialisations

About 24% of them are eyeing to specialise in AI, automation, and robotics.

Given a chance to restart their careers, the majority (97%) of information and communications technology professionals in Hong Kong would switch their specialisations, Randstad’s Tech Talent Expectation Survey for 2021 revealed.

Amongst specialisations, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics was the top choice of 24% of the respondents, followed by data science or analytics (19%) and cybersecurity (13%).

The three were also selected by the respondents as the top specialisations which lack tech talent, with AI, automation, and robotics leading at 52%, whilst data science or analytics and cybersecurity tied at 35%.

Benjamin Elms, regional director at Randstad Hong Kong, said the greater interest in AI among ICT professionals may be due to its “increasing adoption and widespread number of applications across industries.”

Elms, however, underscored that “both employers and candidates have to build their skills and capabilities to match their AI ambitions.”

Meanwhile, the study also found that three in five tech talents will accept interview requests from organisations offering opportunities for them to upskill or those who have interesting project scope.

“Companies that regularly showcase their latest innovation projects may also be more likely to attract quality talent, as they are providing candidates the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology,” Elms said.