{
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "What is the AI hiring slowdown?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "The AI hiring slowdown is a significant drop in hiring activity across AI, machine learning, and data science roles. After a period of rapid expansion during the AI boom years, many companies are now recalibrating due to over-hiring, tighter budgets, and increased scrutiny on ROI."
    }
  },{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "Why is AI hiring slowing down?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "AI hiring is slowing due to over-hiring during the boom years, tighter budgets, increased scrutiny on ROI, and AI tools reducing the need for certain technical roles. Broader economic caution has also made businesses more conservative about expanding headcount."
    }
  },{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "How does the AI hiring freeze affect recruitment agencies?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "Agencies face lower placement volumes, fee pushback from clients, longer sales cycles, and more competition for fewer mandates, with those concentrated in AI and tech feeling the impact most."
    }
  },{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "How can recruitment agencies stay profitable during a hiring slowdown?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "By cutting operational costs, shifting to retained or RPO revenue models, diversifying into adjacent markets, using recruitment automation tools to reduce cost-per-placement, and investing in existing client relationships."
    }
  },{
    "@type": "Question",
    "name": "Will AI talent demand return after the slowdown?",
    "acceptedAnswer": {
      "@type": "Answer",
      "text": "Yes. The slowdown is a market correction, not a permanent decline. Demand is expected to return with a focus on AI deployment, integration, and governance rather than foundational model development."
    }
  }]
}