The augmented IT team: How AI is reshaping IT roles and skills for the future

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more embedded in daily operations, IT teams are being asked to adapt, not just in what they manage but also in how they work. Routine tasks are increasingly handled by automation, and AI systems provide insights that once required human intervention.

This shift is prompting a key question: What does the future IT team look like?

According to the Q1 2025 IT Trends Report from JumpCloud, 37% of IT administrators worry that AI could eventually take their job. That concern highlights the importance of not only adopting AI wisely but also preparing teams to thrive alongside it.

Upskilling for the AI-integrated workflow

AI is changing not only the tools IT teams use but also the capabilities they need. Skills in automation platforms, AI model monitoring, data governance, and even AI ethics are becoming increasingly important. IT professionals will also need to collaborate more closely with business stakeholders and AI systems alike, making communication and cross-functional fluency essential.

IT leaders can support this evolution by building upskilling into their AI strategies. Internal training programs, vendor-supported education, and cross-training with data science or security teams can help build confidence and competence in the face of rapid change.

Balancing head count with AI investments

Although 42% of organizations are increasing their AI-related IT budget, only 22% are prioritizing head count growth. This creates pressure to do more with the same team or even fewer people.

To balance tool investments with staffing needs, organizations must first identify which tasks can be automated and which still require human expertise. Clearly defining roles, tracking performance, and measuring the return on investment (ROI) of AI integration are all part of ensuring that human capital is deployed where it adds the most value.

Investments in upskilling can stretch budgets further, enabling organizations to maximize both tool performance and team capabilities.

AI as a force multiplier rather than a replacement

There’s no doubt that AI is capable of replacing some tasks, especially those that are repetitive, rules-based, or reliant on pattern recognition. But most IT roles involve more than that. Creative problem-solving, contextual thinking, and many person-to-person interactions still require a human touch.

Instead of full replacement, most IT organizations will see AI act as a force multiplier, handling the repetitive work so teams can focus on security, strategy, and innovation.

That said, some roles are starting to shift. Agentic AI tools can now perform autonomous actions in certain workflows, raising the bar for what human IT professionals need to contribute in order to stay relevant.

Aligning training with security and risk

As AI changes the risk landscape, security skills are becoming just as critical as technical ones. With 75% of organizations increasing their cybersecurity budget, there’s a growing need to align training and hiring with emerging threats such as AI-generated attacks and adversarial manipulation.

Future-proofing IT talent means teaching not just how to deploy AI but also how to secure it.

New roles on the horizon

As AI systems mature, new IT roles are emerging to support them. In addition to automation architects and AI governance leads, many organizations are beginning to define positions such as the following:

• AI security specialists: Focused on defending against AI-specific threats
• AI trainers: Tasked with maintaining data quality and model behavior
• Automation strategists: Responsible for end-to-end automation integration

Preparing for these shifts today can help IT leaders stay ahead of workforce transformation and build a team that thrives in the age of intelligent operations.

JumpCloud’s Q1 2025 IT Trends Report reveals how IT teams are adapting to AI across support, infrastructure, and security. Download the full report to see how your peers are navigating this transformation — and what it means for the future of IT.