New York Surpasses San Francisco in Tech Talent
New York has officially taken the lead over the San Francisco Bay Area, becoming the largest tech talent market in the U.S. for the first time, largely due to the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector reshaping hiring trends.
A report from CBRE, titled “Scoring Tech Talent 2026,” highlighted that the tech workforce in New York increased by 30,640 positions from 2022 to 2025, reaching a total of 394,300. In contrast, the San Francisco Bay Area’s workforce decreased by 23,900, dropping to 375,730.
Fran Loftus, who serves as the Chief Experience Officer at EliseAI, a New York-based firm, discussed these shifts, confirming that her company has witnessed firsthand the growing pool of AI talent in the city. “New York has clearly established itself as a significant AI hub,” she stated.
She mentioned, “When you stroll down Fifth Avenue and see multiple AI companies, it’s evident that a strong concentration of AI talent exists here. This is why we’ve expanded our presence in New York.” But, what’s driving this transformation?
Loftus explained that being situated in New York allows companies like hers to be close to both customers and end users, which is advantageous. The city’s diverse industries also provide access to a wide range of expertise.
EliseAI specializes in automating workflows for housing and healthcare sectors and recently relocated to a substantial 109,000-square-foot office in the former Tiffany & Co. building on Fifth Avenue, joining other tech companies in the area.
Loftus emphasized that New York’s industrial diversity presents unique opportunities for fast-growing AI firms like hers, dubbing it “a fantastic environment for AI growth.” As AI adoption seeps into various economic sectors, she acknowledged its transformative effect on job roles.
“AI can replace certain tasks while also creating new ones,” she noted, pointing out that in sectors like housing and healthcare, AI efficiently handles repetitive duties. This shifts human employees toward higher-level responsibilities.
Loftus added, “Company structures are evolving to offload basic functions to AI, allowing teams to focus on more complex management tasks.” She also mentioned that concerns about AI’s impact should be addressed through its practical applications.
For those entering the workforce or seeking a foothold in tech, Loftus advised embracing the opportunities spawned by the AI revolution. “There’s a wealth of possibilities,” she expressed. “Entrepreneurial roles within AI companies are enormous.” She emphasized that EliseAI is actively hiring across multiple cities, including New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Austin, and Toronto.
EliseAI has reportedly exceeded $200 million in revenue, achieving a doubling of sales each year for the last five years and now supporting approximately one in six apartment units in the U.S.
While New York has surpassed San Francisco in the overall size of its tech workforce, the latter still remains a crucial technology center in North America. CBRE notes that tech roles make up more than 10% of employment in the San Francisco Bay Area, reinforcing its status as one of the most tech-intensive labor markets. Loftus highlighted that EliseAI is also growing its San Francisco operations, even as New York continues to serve as its primary base.
