Upwork Monthly Hiring Report: Demand for Quality Assurance, Project Management, and Other Human-Centric Skills Rose in September as Businesses Combat AI “Workslop”

Core Insights - 58% of businesses will prioritize AI proficiency and understanding when hiring freelancers in the next three months [1] - The freelance economy generates an estimated $1.5 trillion in annual earnings, highlighting its significance in the U.S. labor market [1][11] - Companies are increasingly hiring for uniquely human skills to ensure AI investments yield quality outcomes and business value [2][9] Hiring Trends - Demand for translation and localization services grew by 29% as businesses seek human oversight to address AI "workslop" [3][6] - Digital marketing contracts increased by 9% as companies adapt their strategies in the age of AI and generative search [4][6] - Project management roles among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) surged by 102% as firms prepare for annual planning [5][6] Skills Demand - The top 10 most in-demand AI-related skills include virtual assistance, content writing, and video editing, indicating a shift towards leveraging AI to enhance human roles rather than replace them [9][15] - Quality assurance testing grew by 9%, reflecting the need for human involvement in validating AI outputs [6] - 39% of businesses cite a lack of trust in AI's accuracy as a barrier to implementing AI solutions [6] Future Outlook - 53% of businesses anticipate hiring freelance digital marketers in the next three months, indicating a strong demand for marketing expertise [6] - 35% of businesses expect to hire freelance project managers, further emphasizing the growing importance of project management in an AI-enabled economy [6][7]