Planning for 2026 is underway – Is it time to reinvent data work?

🇫🇮 This blog is originally written in Finnish. You can read the Finnish version by using the language switcher on the top right corner.

Do you feel pressureD to allocate more money to data and AI development?

I believe data work itself also needs to be reinvented.

Organizations have realized that data is such a crucial strategic asset that its development can no longer be outsourced to consultants as broadly as before. The tougher years in consulting have made expertise more accessible, yet LinkedIn shows there still aren’t enough skilled professionals for everyone. Traditional organizations have invested in their employer image to attract these sought-after experts, and many have retrained and upskilled their workforce. However, experienced professionals are spotting risks on the horizon: data expertise, too, might become commoditized, just like software development once did.

The field of data work is changing – those who dare to rethink and redesign will move the game forward.

No SUSTAINABLE FOUNDATION for investments

Data and AI benefits require investment, but in a downturn, budgets don’t grow. The question is: how can we achieve more results with fewer resources?

First, we need to measure the value of data work and ensure business orientation, not just focus on data storage or platform optimization.

Another answer lies in the systematic use of AI. Current isolated code improvements only slightly boost efficiency. Real efficiency comes when people design the automation of entire workflows.

In the future, competition will intensify for data professionals who understand business and automate parts of their own work. They don’t fear losing their jobs, but they develop skills that lift them toward creating tangible business value.

Instead of gathering large junior teams and nearshore resources for manual work in big migrations, a more effective approach will be a lean team of five senior experts who can work seamlessly and build an AI framework that automates parts of the routine. This requires the ability and experience to design complex systems, something new entrants in the field don’t yet have.

Kim Salmi noted the same in Tivi Magazine on September 17, 2025: the market is polarizing. There are too many generalists and juniors, while experienced specialists are in short supply.

Data work doesn’t happen behind screens alone – it’s teamwork, dialogue, and continuous learning.

WINNERS AND BLOCKERS OF CHANGE

Change takes time, as the overall demand for data and AI expertise continues to grow. Large consulting firms with many new generalists aren’t in a hurry to disrupt themselves. Many client organizations lack the expertise to challenge the current model but luckily, there are frontrunners out there. For smaller companies like us at Recordly, this is an excellent opportunity to redefine the industry.

I predict that the endless job opportunities for data and AI professionals will narrow and the industry will mature, but the overall picture remains bright. Companies will benefit from better use of data and AI, and consultants will play a key role in accelerating this progress. The number of data projects and the demand for skilled professionals will keep rising.

The interesting question is: who will grow by hiring more people and who will harness AI’s true potential to scale teams and do it “for half the cost”?

Success comes from the courage to do things differently – together we can redefine the industry.