Prompt engineering is no longer a job, but a skill

'Prompt engineering' is now an embedded skill in AI careers, reflecting the rapidly changing tech job landscape.

: The concept of 'prompt engineering' emerged two years ago as a promising and low-barrier entry point into the AI sector, valued at $75.5 million in North America. However, this standalone role has quickly faded as the skills needed for it have become integrated into broader AI responsibilities, largely due to AI advancements aiding in prompt generation. Jobs now demand deeper technical skills, resulting in machine learning engineers improving models themselves and a resurgence in roles focusing on foundational model development. The market move toward consulting and advisory roles in AI indicated an increasing demand for expertise in AI implementation within companies.

Around 2023, 'prompt engineering' emerged as an appealing role in the AI sector, attracting many who lacked specialized education or technical backgrounds. This role primarily involved crafting questions to optimize AI performance in large language models (LLMs). Initially seen as a promising career path, the market in North America alone was valued at $75.5 million and was growing rapidly, creating a burst of interest among job seekers eager to secure a place in this burgeoning field.

As of 2025, this standalone position has all but vanished, with the skills associated with it now expected capabilities of anyone involved in AI work. AI tools have themselves begun generating the required prompts, reducing the necessity for human prompt engineers. The shift underscores a broader truth in the AI job market, as highlighted by Malcolm Frank, CEO of TalentGenius, who noted, 'AI is already eating its own.' Prompt engineering has transitioned 'from a job into a task' quickly, suggesting the fleeting nature of roles in rapidly evolving tech environments.

This change is reflected in the broader job market, where roles now require deeper technical expertise. Unlike prompt engineers, machine learning engineers and automation architects with the skills to build and enhance AI models are increasingly sought after. Allison Shrivastava from the Indeed Hiring Lab pointed out that prompt engineering rarely appeared as a distinct job title, having been largely absorbed into these more comprehensive roles within tech firms.

With the fading allure of prompt engineering, demand has risen for positions offering more substantial technical challenge, such as those involving LLM development and machine learning advancements. According to Lerner, mock interviews for machine learning engineer roles surged threefold in just two months, illustrating a clear market shift toward enhancing AI itself rather than understanding its interpretations.

For those without a technical coding background but with an interest in AI, the best course forward may involve management consulting or founding companies, where the demand for AI implementation expertise is rising. As of early 2025, consulting roles represented 12.4% of AI job titles, indicating a boom in advisory positions as companies seek to integrate AI efficiently into their operations.

Sources: Fast Company, Indeed Hiring Lab, Menlo Ventures, Techspot

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