Cisco HR chief says the positions that everyone in the technology industry is right now hiring for are… – The Times of India

Cisco HR chief says the positions that everyone in the technology industry is right now hiring for are… – The Times of India

By TOI Tech Desk
Publication Date: 2026-01-17 16:30:00

Cisco’s Chief People Officer highlights the extreme difficulty in hiring AI and machine learning talent due to a small pool and high demand. To attract top candidates, top executives like the President personally reach out, differentiating Cisco from companies engaging in ‘AI washing.’ AI is also transforming entry-level roles, with former support staff now handling more complex issues.

Cisco’s Chief People Officer Kelly Jones has identified AI and machine learning operations roles as the most challenging positions to fill across the technology industry, citing an extremely limited talent pool and unprecedented demand.“The qualified pool is so small, and the demand is so high,” Jones told Business Insider. She explained that virtually every forward-thinking organization is currently competing for the same specialized talent, both for product development and internal IT operations.

Cisco’s top executives personally call candidates to close deals

To secure elite AI talent, Cisco…