Cloud computing is the smart career move in an AI-driven world
AI is changing the game for a lot of professionals. Some are worried about losing their jobs, and with good reason—AI is automating code, optimizing workflows, and handling tasks that used to take entire teams. But here’s what isn’t changing: the need for a solid, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure. That’s why cloud computing is one of the best places to be in tech right now.
AI models don’t exist in a vacuum. They require computing power, storage, security, and accessibility—at scale. That’s what the cloud provides. Every AI-powered service, from predictive analytics to automated customer interactions, needs a cloud backbone to function. Enterprises know this, and they’re putting their money behind it.
The numbers speak for themselves. Right now, 55% of organizations are planning AI rollouts, and they’re not going to build the infrastructure themselves. They need cloud engineers and architects who know how to optimize resources, reduce costs, and ensure uptime. In a world where automation is replacing roles, cloud computing is creating them.
The cloud maturity divide is driving demand for experts
A decade ago, cloud computing was an experiment for most companies. Today, it’s the foundation of modern business. But not every company made the transition well.
Right now, businesses fall into two camps. First, the cloud-native organizations—companies that built cloud-first strategies, optimized their infrastructure, and now operate with efficiency. They’ve got the tools, the skills, and the flexibility to integrate AI seamlessly.
Then, there’s the second group—the ones that rushed in. These companies moved to the cloud fast but didn’t do it right. Instead of redesigning their systems for cloud efficiency, they simply shifted their existing infrastructure over—a “lift-and-shift” approach. Now, they’re dealing with inefficiencies, security gaps, and technical debt.
Fixing this is a priority. According to Drew Firment from Pluralsight’s 2025 Tech Forecast Report, these organizations are struggling, and they’re willing to pay cloud professionals to help them get back on track. The demand is for people who can optimize it.
Multicloud and hybrid cloud expertise is a competitive advantage
Most enterprises don’t rely on a single cloud provider anymore. AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure—they’re all in play, often at the same time. This is what’s known as a multicloud strategy, and it’s the standard in 2025.
Why? It’s about flexibility. Relying on just one provider can create bottlenecks, limit innovation, and drive up costs. But managing multiple cloud environments takes expertise. Right now, only 9% of companies have employees with true multicloud experience. That’s a massive talent gap.
Then there’s hybrid cloud, where enterprises still have legacy systems running in private data centers while using public cloud resources for other workloads. This mix is common in industries like finance and healthcare, where regulations require stricter data controls.
The challenge is integration. How do you make sure security, optimize costs, and make sure data moves smoothly across environments? Companies need cloud professionals who can solve these problems, and they don’t have nearly enough of them. That’s why multicloud and hybrid cloud expertise is one of the best career bets in tech right now.
Cloud spending is rising and so are salaries
Companies aren’t hesitating to invest in cloud infrastructure. Cloud spending is set to grow 19% in 2025, following a 20% increase last year. That’s a sustained shift in how business is done.
AI is a big reason why. Businesses aren’t only using the cloud for storage and computing anymore. They’re using it to run machine learning models, process real-time data, and power customer-facing AI applications. That requires serious investment.
And when companies spend more on infrastructure, they spend more on the people who manage it. Cloud engineers, architects, and security specialists are seeing higher salaries, bigger promotions, and more opportunities than ever. Upskilling in cloud technologies is about career acceleration.
“Even if you’re already in tech, there’s value in expanding your cloud knowledge. Whether you’re a developer, a security professional, or a systems admin, cloud expertise is a direct path to higher-value roles.”
AI skills make cloud experts even more valuable
AI and cloud computing are deeply connected. The most advanced AI applications don’t run on local machines; they run in the cloud. That’s why the most in-demand cloud professionals are infrastructure experts that understand AI, too.
Companies are actively looking for cloud engineers and architects who can deploy, manage, and optimize AI-driven workloads. That includes setting up cloud environments for machine learning, ensuring real-time data processing, and optimizing compute resources for AI-driven analytics.
Beyond the technical side, soft skills matter. Top-tier cloud professionals work well with teams. Communicating technical ideas to non-technical executives, making strategic decisions about cloud spending, and leading cloud adoption initiatives are all part of the job.
According to Pluralsight’s 2025 Tech Forecast, the best career combo right now is AI expertise + strong communication skills. That’s what separates good engineers from the ones who lead the future of cloud computing.
Key executive takeaways
- Cloud talent is more valuable than ever: AI adoption is accelerating, and companies need cloud professionals to scale, secure, and optimize infrastructure. Leaders should invest in cloud talent to ensure their AI initiatives succeed.
- Fixing poor cloud migrations is a priority: Many enterprises rushed cloud adoption and are now paying the price with inefficiencies. Decision-makers must allocate resources to experts who can restructure and optimize their cloud environments.
- Multicloud and hybrid strategies require skilled experts: Nearly all enterprises operate across multiple cloud providers, yet only 9% have in-house multicloud expertise. Leaders should prioritize hiring or upskilling talent to manage complex cloud architectures.
- Cloud spending is climbing alongside salaries: With cloud investment rising 19% in 2025, companies are paying top dollar for skilled professionals. Executives should proactively attract and retain cloud experts to remain competitive.
- AI and cloud skills together drive the highest value: The most sought-after professionals understand both cloud infrastructure and AI. Leaders should push for cloud teams to gain AI expertise to maximize efficiency and innovation.
