THRYVE Careers- Expertise in Action: This edition: Jake on AI, Machine Learning & Databricks
Meet Jake – Our Freelance AI & Machine Learning Specialist
With over a decade of experience in the German freelance market, Jake is a seasoned recruiter who has built a reputation for connecting businesses with the right freelance talent. His expertise lies at the intersection of AI, Machine Learning, and MLOps, where he has successfully partnered with companies to deliver high-impact technical projects.
Most recently, Jake has been providing dedicated support in the fast-moving areas of Databricks, Agentic systems, and LLM/NLP technologies. He works closely with both clients and freelancers to ensure the right skills align with the right projects, helping organisations navigate the evolving landscape of AI innovation.
Jake’s deep knowledge of the market, combined with his consultative approach, means he doesn’t just fill roles – he offers insight into talent availability, project scoping, and long-term freelance strategy.
Jake’s View: How to Stay Relevant in AI & Data
Speaking with companies every day gives me a clear view of the skills most in demand right now across AI and data.
The top priorities I’m seeing are:
- Python – the backbone of AI, data and machine learning.
- Databricks – essential for managing data and AI workflows.
- Agentic AI & LLMs – huge demand as businesses explore large language models and applied AI.
- NLP – key for chatbots, customer tools and text analysis.
- Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) – vital for scaling projects.
- PySpark & PyTorch – for pipelines and deep learning.
- Kubernetes & Docker – for deploying and managing models in production.
For candidates, combining depth in one or two of these areas with broader exposure across the rest will make you stand out. Employers don’t just want technical skills — they want people who can apply them to solve real problems.
If you’re building your career in AI and data, focusing on these areas will keep you aligned with market demand.
Looking ahead, I don’t expect the market to shift dramatically — the key skills in demand today are likely to remain the same over the next 6–12 months. Python, Databricks, and cloud platforms will continue to form the foundation of AI and data projects. At the same time, expertise in LLMs, agentic AI, and NLP will keep growing in importance as companies push further into applied AI.
Kubernetes, Docker, PySpark and PyTorch will also stay highly relevant, as organisations look to scale and deploy their solutions effectively.
For candidates, this means one thing: if you’re developing these skills now, you’re already on the right path to stay competitive in the market.
If you’d like tailored advice on where your skills fit best, or which direction to take your career next, feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to share what I’m seeing first-hand across the market.
