BALTIMORE, MD—While much of the public conversation around artificial intelligence fixates on job loss, a quieter – and more optimistic – shift is underway. Across the country, new career paths are emerging not in opposition to AI, but in tandem with it. These aren’t science fiction roles of the distant future; they’re already being hired for today, often far from Silicon Valley.
A survey of 3,003 decision makers by Snowfire, an adaptive decision intelligence AI platform for decision makers and executive leaders, pinpointed the specific AI-forward careers expected to boom locally in Maryland.
The top 3 are:
1. AI-Augmented Bioinformatics Researcher
Maryland’s thriving biotech corridor – spanning Rockville, Gaithersburg, and beyond – is at the forefront of medical innovation. Bioinformatics researchers here are using AI to decode genetic data, uncover disease markers, and speed up drug discovery. Supported by renowned research institutions and a growing private sector, they’re applying machine learning to tackle urgent health challenges, from cancer to infectious diseases.
2. AI-Cyber Defense Specialist
Maryland is a national leader in cybersecurity, home to a dense network of private cyber firms and defense contractors. AI-cyber specialists here use machine learning to detect threats in real time, trace intrusions, and close vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. At firms similar to Booz Allen Hamilton and Northrop Grumman, this role is crucial – especially as AI-powered threats grow more complex and global demand for digital security soars.
3. Smart Port Logistics Analyst
With the Port of Baltimore moving millions of tons of cargo each year, logistics is getting an AI upgrade. Analysts in this role work with real-time shipping data, predictive traffic models, and digital twins to optimize container movement and reduce bottlenecks. It’s a key job at the intersection of maritime commerce and smart infrastructure – and it’s helping Maryland compete globally.
AI in the Broader Workplace
The study also explored how businesses are adapting internally. Nearly one in three organizations (29%) now report having a Chief AI Officer – a role that didn’t exist a few years ago. And AI is leaving a measurable financial mark:
- 26% of managers say AI has improved productivity
- 25% point to enhanced customer satisfaction
- 23% cite cost reductions
- 13% note revenue growth
- 12% see gains in risk or compliance management
Despite these benefits, challenges remain. When asked about barriers to transformation, 25% of leaders cited a shortage of skilled talent, and an equal number pointed to cultural resistance within their organizations. Budget limitations (21%), poor strategic alignment (15%), and unclear ROI (14%) also held companies back.
Tech budgets are gradually shifting: on average, 15% of annual spend is now earmarked for AI-related infrastructure. But many leaders still worry about knowledge gaps at the top. Just 15% of C-suite teams are described as having a “deep understanding and regular use” of AI, while 22% fall into the “very low” category.
Looking ahead, executives believe AI will most significantly reshape the roles of CEOs (29%) and CFOs (27%), with CTOs, CMOs, and CHROs close behind.
Interactive map showing the top 3 AI jobs in each state (click on ’embed’ to host on your site)
“AI isn’t wiping out work – it’s reshaping it. What we’re seeing is a nationwide pivot toward roles that pair human creativity and with machine intelligence. The smartest organizations are already hiring for this future, not waiting to catch up,” says Greg Genung, CEO & Founder of Snowfire.
Additional information can be found online here at Snowfire.
Image via Pixabay
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