California has been a first-mover in developing and adopting AI technology. Now, new data affirms that San Francisco and San Jose are the nation’s top AI hot spots – with potential for explosive growth in the remainder of 2024.
Here are three takeaways from UMD-LinkUp, a research collaboration between the University of Maryland, job listings platform LinkUp, and executive firm Outrigger Group:
There’s a high demand for AI talent in the Golden State. UMD-LinkUp analysis showed that San Jose (142.4 new AI jobs listed per 100,000 residents) and San Francisco (49.3 new AI jobs listed per 100,000 residents) led the way in the first quarter of 2024 among cities with at least 500,000 residents. This illustrates the high demand for AI talent in the Bay Area, fueled by a great number of AI-driven technologies across diverse industries. Companies from tech giants to emerging startups are seeking skilled professionals proficient in AI and machine learning.
California – and the Bay Area — continue to be the epicenter of AI activity. As the home to hundreds of tech companies, startups, and research institutions at the forefront of AI-driven innovation, the Bay Area has solidified its status as global hubs of job growth. AI jobs accounted for about 7.5% of San Francisco job listings and 3.2% of San Jose job listings in Q1 2024 alone. The region’s dynamic business ecosystem is uniquely positioned to drive forward breakthroughs in this transformative technology.
Silicon Valley will continue to be the leading voice in the innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem enables startups and entrepreneurs to thrive, mobilizing AI-driven solutions – meaning business leaders will continue to look to the Bay Area as the best region to start the next big thing.
Overall, this new research is a promising indication that California – and the Silicon Valley – will remain economically competitive and a leader in transformative AI technologies. SVLG’s Institute for California AI Policy (I-CAP) is at the forefront of responsible AI deployment, engaging policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders across the Golden State to ensure key decision makers can harness the groundbreaking benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks.
