Refer to Fig. 2.
Explain why this relationship may exist.
Research shows that the ratio of senior AI Specialist compensation to median junior developer remuneration in the UK has changed significantly over the past decade (see Fig. 1). In 2024, AI Specialists at leading technology firms earned 8.0 times more than a typical junior developer.
Fig. 1 AI Specialist-to-junior developer compensation ratio (UK), 2015–2024
| Year | Ratio |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.0 |
| 2016 | 4.2 |
| 2017 | 4.8 |
| 2018 | 5.5 |
| 2019 | 5.2 |
| 2020 | 5.8 |
| 2021 | 6.5 |
| 2022 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | 6.8 |
| 2024 | 8.0 |
Source: UK Tech Talent Survey
AI Specialists earned an average of £310,000 in 2024, a 24% increase from 2023. In that same period, total venture capital (VC) funding in the UK AI sector also recovered significantly (see Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 AI Specialist average compensation and Venture Capital funding in AI (UK), 2015–2024
