Technology trends in the US: Cloud, bootcamps, and more

Generative AI has shaken up the tech industry, but it’s not the only thing on people’s minds. US-based IT leaders and practitioners are also thinking about cloud computing, soft skills, and career development in an uncertain market. Keep reading to learn more about tech skills in the United States. 

For all of the insights, get our 2025 Tech Skills Report. It dives deeper into the top technology skills, gaps, and challenges facing tech leaders, IT practitioners, and business professionals across the United States, United Kingdom, and India. 

Explore related articles:

• Preparing the United Kingdom workforce: The current state of tech skills

Consistent with the global findings, US executives and IT practitioners agree on the biggest tech skills gaps: cybersecurity, cloud, and AI/ML. 

As a result of these gaps, 44% of US organizations have had to abandon projects. They’ve also experienced:

• Delays or failure to deliver key projects (40%)

• Reduced collaboration or efficiency across roles (39%)

• Increased pressure on team members with specialized skills (37%)

• Difficulty adopting or optimizing new technologies (37%)

Despite these challenges, US organizations are better positioned than their British and Indian counterparts. 72% of US organizations say their tech skills gaps have improved since last year, compared to just 60% in the UK and 67% in India.

When it comes to skills gaps, US-based organizations also tend to see more alignment between leaders and practitioners. 68% of tech professionals in the United States say leaders are aware of IT skills gaps, while only 57% of British and 55% of Indian technologists say the same.

US executives and practitioners say the most needed tech skills are:

1. Cloud computing and infrastructure

2. IT support and systems management

3. Cybersecurity and risk management

When it comes to the skills that are most important to learn in 2026, American IT practitioners and business professionals are divided.

IT professionals overwhelmingly say cybersecurity and cloud computing skills are the most important to learn, with AI/ML and DevOps tied for third. Business professionals, on the other hand, say AI/ML, cybersecurity, and DevOps skills are the most important for upcoming technology trends.

In general, professionals should focus on learning skills aligned with their organization’s goals, then augment that knowledge with technology skills from these lists. When in doubt, building your cloud computing skills is a safe bet.

Explore cloud computing career paths.

Like the UK and India, United States leaders see cloud computing as the most important area of growth for their organization, followed by cybersecurity and data.

Despite the cloud's importance for business growth, it’s also one of the biggest skills gaps in US organizations. Leaders will need to provide digital skills training to ensure cloud transformation success.

American executives, IT practitioners, and business professionals agree on the importance of soft skills, but their priorities are scattered across the board (likely due to the different roles they play within organizations).

US executives say communication skills are the most important. Technologists say creativity, communication, and problem-solving are key. And business professionals rate creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence as the most essential soft skills.

While closing tech skills gaps is important, leaders will also need to address soft skills gaps, especially as teams become more reliant on generative AI.

American tech professionals are motivated to learn new tech skills so they can earn higher salaries (57%), improve their job security (47%), and advance their careers (42%). 

For US business professionals, upskilling is a way to unlock more career options (46%), improve job security (42%), and build their confidence (40%). 

In other words, IT practitioners believe upskilling can help them uplevel their current role or move into a more advanced position. Business professionals, on the other hand, are more likely to see upskilling as a way to secure their current role or explore entirely new careers.

If you’re looking to break into the tech industry, consider completing a bootcamp or specialized training program. This is the top factor American executives look for when hiring candidates new to tech.

However, US-based IT practitioners still say a formal education (like a degree in Computer Science) is what helped them break into the tech industry.

The takeaway? Bootcamps and training programs can help aspiring technologists prepare for the future of IT jobs. Formal university degrees are an added bonus.

According to American IT professionals, completing a micro credential or digital badge is the top factor that has helped them earn a promotion or raise.

For non-tech professionals, earning a degree from a university funded through their employer tops the list. And for executives, professional certifications like those from AWS, Cisco, and CompTIA have helped them increase their salary or earn a promotion.

While responses are split, one thing is clear: Learning—in any form—is key to promotions and raises.

81% of US executives say hiring is more expensive than upskilling, and the numbers check out. On average, US organizations spend $14,170 per IT employee on hiring and training, compared to just $5,770 per employee for upskilling. 

Hiring for some roles is unavoidable (and the right move in some circumstances), but don’t over-rely on it for the future of IT jobs. Leaders may find talented candidates in their existing workforce—for a much lower price point.

US-based organizations measure IT skills through skills assessments and tests (42%), continuous learning and training participation (42%), and formal certifications and qualifications (41%). 

The top metrics American executives use to measure upskilling ROI include:

• Proof of skill, like skill assessment ratings, employee performance ratings, and promotions (45%)

• Financial value, including revenue growth and cost savings (45%)

• Use of skill, such as improved employee productivity or team outcomes (43%)

Leaders must continue to measure the success of digital skills training to understand how it impacts business outcomes.

Use skill assessments to benchmark skills and measure improvement.

Explore all of the upskilling insights with data from 1,500 tech executives, IT professionals, and business professionals across the United States, United Kingdom, and India. Get the 2025 Tech Skills Report.