The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) usage has created a range of new professions with exceptionally high salaries. Global technology companies are now competing to recruit AI talent, ranging from AI philosophers to vibe coders, with compensation reaching hundreds of thousands of US dollars annually.

This phenomenon has emerged amid waves of layoffs also driven by AI automation. Many companies are reducing traditional workforces while simultaneously opening entirely new positions that previously did not exist. Some of these roles are actually older professions that have reemerged in a new form within the technology industry.

One of the most sought-after positions today is the forward deployed engineer. This role involves working directly with client companies to develop customized AI solutions tailored to specific business needs.

Data from Indeed shows that job postings for forward deployed engineers in January 2026 surged by 19 times compared to the previous year. Major technology firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Amazon Web Services are offering salaries ranging from US$115,000, or around Rp2 billion, to more than US$200,000, or approximately Rp3.5 billion, per year.

In addition, AI companies are actively recruiting AI evangelists, individuals responsible for introducing AI technology to the public and startup ecosystems.

Anthropic even opened a “Claude Evangelist” position with a salary package reaching US$240,000, or around Rp4.2 billion, annually.

Another emerging profession is the AI philosopher. This role focuses on ensuring AI models remain aligned with human values and ethical principles. Google DeepMind previously offered positions related to AI ethics and safety with salaries reaching US$231,000 per year.

Another newly popular profession is the vibe coder. Originally just an internet slang term, it has now officially appeared in job listings. This role refers to workers who develop software using natural language prompts through AI coding tools.

Salaries for vibe coder positions at TikTok start at US$108,000 annually, while similar roles at YouTube can reach US$149,000 per year.

At the executive level, there is the Chief AI Officer position. PwC appointed a Chief AI Officer in July 2024, while Accenture established the role of chief responsible AI officer during the same year. Glassdoor estimates that salaries for Chief AI Officers in the private sector range from US$265,000, or around Rp4.7 billion, to US$494,000, or approximately Rp8.7 billion annually.

Below are several new AI-related professions that companies are increasingly seeking, as quoted from The Next Web on Monday (18/5/2026):

• Forward deployed engineer: A technology engineer who works directly within user teams or departments rather than remaining solely at a technical headquarters. They solve problems on-site, understand team requirements, and develop or adapt technology tools exactly where they are needed.
• AI evangelist: An individual responsible for introducing and promoting AI technology to others. They explain AI capabilities, demonstrate how AI can assist with work, and encourage as well as teach people to use AI tools effectively.
• AI philosopher: A professional who explores major questions surrounding AI, such as whether AI truly thinks or merely calculates, the implications of AI-driven decision-making, and how AI should function within human life, ethics, and society. Their primary focus is on meaning, values, and long-term impact.
• Internal AI accelerator: An internal company role focused on accelerating AI adoption. They help teams identify tasks that AI can support, overcome implementation obstacles, share best practices, and ensure AI projects are completed efficiently across the organization.
• Vibe coder: An informal term for someone who writes software code based on the desired mood, style, or outcome rather than following rigid technical plans. They work creatively and quickly to produce results aligned with a specific experience or atmosphere.
• AI model trainer/freelancer: A professional who prepares data and trains AI systems to learn effectively. They teach AI to recognize patterns, answer questions, or perform specific tasks by providing proper examples and continuously improving the system. This work is typically done independently for multiple clients.
• Chief AI Officer: The highest-ranking executive responsible for all AI-related strategies and implementations within an organization. They determine overall AI direction, ensure AI is used safely and ethically, lead AI development teams, and guarantee that AI adoption supports company objectives and delivers value.