Workspan Daily News Bytes for May 15, 2026

WTW: U.S. Leads in Pay for AI and Digital Talent

Across countries, artificial intelligence (AI) applications and machine learning roles continue to command higher pay than other high-demand digital disciplines such as cybersecurity and cloud computing engineering. That is according to WTW’s latest Artificial Intelligence and Digital Talent Salary Survey Report, released Wednesday, May 6.

The consulting firm’s report found:

Median pay for machine learning roles (mid-level, technical expert) is highest in the U.S. by a wide margin. At the median, total compensation for these roles (including salary, allowances, and short- and long-term incentives) exceeds $170,000, compared to around $122,000 in Germany and just under $100,000 in the U.K.
Across all countries studied (Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, U.K. and U.S.), median pay for machine learning roles increased, on average, by 2% for salaries and 6% in total compensation. Brazil and Mexico posted double-digit growth, with Mexico seeing a 19% rise in salaries and a 29% jump in total compensation. By contrast, Canada recorded declines in median pay for these roles, highlighting cooling pressure in some mature markets.
Median salaries for cloud engineering increased by an average of 9% across the 10 countries, with total compensation up 12%. China and India saw particularly strong growth, reflecting rapid investment in cloud infrastructure across the Asia‑Pacific region.

The survey also showed base pay alone is no longer enough. For example, nearly half of the surveyed organizations now offer differentiated reward programs for digital talent:

Enhanced base pay remains the most common tool.
Flexible working, learning and development, retention bonuses, and long‑term incentives also are increasingly used to attract and keep digital talent.

“AI pay is no longer just about where salaries are highest, but instead where momentum is building fastest and how employers are aligning pay and incentives to keep pace,” said Lesli Jennings, WTW’s North America leader for work, rewards and career consulting. “Employers that rely on last year’s assumptions risk falling behind, particularly as short- and long-term incentives play a bigger role in fast‑growing markets.”

U.S. Small Business Leaders Struggle to Find Skilled Workers

A new Robert Half survey of more than 250 U.S. small business leaders (organizations with fewer than 100 employees) showed 76% are confident about their company’s hiring outlook for the year ahead. Yet, 47% said finding skilled talent is more difficult than one year ago, and only 12% said they have the talent needed to complete high-priority projects.

The talent consultancy’s survey also found:

41% of small business leaders expect a net increase in jobs at their organizations amid the rise of AI over the next two years.
54% said AI-generated applications have made hiring more difficult.
At the same time, 56% reported significant skills gaps on their teams, and 58% said those gaps have increased over the past year.

“Widening skills gaps are making it harder for small businesses to successfully compete and grow,” said Dawn Fay, Robert Half’s operational president. “Organizations that adapt their hiring strategies, invest in upskilling and leverage specialized expertise are better positioned to compete in today’s business landscape.”

Management and Workload Are Key Stress Drivers for Employees

Fifty-nine percent of surveyed U.S. workers said their job negatively impacts their mental health on a regular basis, according to a 2026 State of Workplace Mental Health Report by employment website Monster. Forty-six percent reported burnout, and 70% said they feel pressure to appear “okay” at work even when they’re struggling.

Additionally, the report found:

10% of the respondents said their job negatively impacts their mental health daily.
22% said it happens a few times a week.
27% said it happens a few times a month.

In addition to burnout, employees report experiencing other symptoms:

Anxiety or panic (39%)
Trouble sleeping (37%)
Headaches or physical pain (34%)
Depression (25%)

Surveyed employees pointed to structural drivers of workplace mental health challenges, including:

Increased workload or understaffing (39%)
Poor management (33%)
Work-life balance (30%)
Workplace conflict or drama (28%)
Stagnant pay (26%)
Fear of layoffs or job insecurity (21%)

“Supporting mental health isn’t just about benefits — it’s about how work is structured, how leaders behave and how employees are supported day to day,” said Monster career expert Vicki Salemi. “As the conversation around workplace mental health evolves, the next step is ensuring that change follows.”

Gen Z Workers Turning More to Social Media for Career Advice

All Generation Z respondents in a recent survey by career website Zety shared they use social media for career advice, with 45% trusting creators and influencers more than traditional recruiters or career coaches.

When seeking out advice, the Gen Z respondents said they strongly prefer highly visual and creator-led platforms:

YouTube (80%)
Instagram (73%)
Facebook (40%)
X (38%)
TikTok (32%)
Reddit (30%)
LinkedIn (26%)

Based on tips they’ve seen online, the surveyed Gen Z workers reported taking the following real-world actions:

Changed industries or fields (60%)
Started a side hustle (41%)
Quit their job (36%)
Began freelancing or gig work (31%)
Negotiated pay (27%)
Enrolled in a course or certification program to build skills (16%)

The data also showed nearly all (99%) the survey respondents use social media to research a company before applying.

The biggest social media red flags that can quickly turn these candidates away include:

Overly polished or inauthentic marketing content (63%)
Posts with political or controversial statements unrelated to the job (59%)
Inconsistent or confusing messaging across company platforms (44%)
Negative comments from customers, clients or previous employees (24%)
Excessive focus on perks or superficial achievements over meaningful work (22%)

Job Market Uncertainty Leading to Uptick in Side-Hustle Businesses

Research released Wednesday, May 13, by Registered Agents, a business formation service provider, showed a continued surge in American entrepreneurship.

The New Business Formations Report put April new business formations at 560,194 (9% higher than April 2025), following a record-breaking March that saw 624,915 formations.

High-volume formations suggest individuals are launching secondary businesses to safeguard their financial stability until the broader job market improves.

“We are witnessing a profound shift in the American workforce,” said Molly Cavanah, Registered Agents’ vice president of revenue growth and data. “While we saw a 10% seasonal dip from March’s all-time record, April’s numbers remain higher than any single month in 2025. This growth is in direct response to an economy where ‘underemployed’ Americans are building side hustles to bridge the gap between rising costs and limited income.”

Figures and Facts of the Week

78: The percentage of U.S. workers who said rising gas prices have led them to take on more flexible work, according to new data from employment website Indeed Flex.
76: The percentage of global organizations that now have a chief AI officer, up from 26% a year ago, according to an annual CEO Study by technology company IBM.
66: The percentage of U.S. workers who reported they have mistaken AI-generated content for human-written work, according to an AI Confidence vs. Reality Report by career website Resume Now.
45: The percentage of U.S. employees who reported experiencing more mental stress over the past year due to financial concerns, with this figure rising to 50% for Gen Z workers, according to a 2026 Benefits and Beyond Study by Prudential Financial.
36: The percentage of U.S. job seekers who have misrepresented their AI skills, beating skill misrepresentation toward Microsoft Office tools (33%) and design tools (26%), according to a 2026 Job Seekers Insights Report by career website Resume Genius.

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