As technology leaders navigate the hype cycles of emerging technologies like Web3 and the metaverse, they are also contending with obstacles such as technical debt, a shortage of talent and skills, and a turbulent global economic environment that is prompting companies around the world to examine their broader innovation strategies and spending on new technologies.

The US has lost its status as the place foreigners would most like to work, with Canada now regarded as the top destination. The study shows that the pandemic has had a major impact on people’s attitudes toward work abroad, reducing their interest generally and inclining them toward countries that have done the best job of containing the coronavirus.

Gartner data shows the total number of skills required for a single job has been increasing by 10% year-over-year since 2017. Furthermore, one in three skills in an average 2017 job posting in IT, finance or sales are already obsolete. Emerging skills gaps due to ongoing business disruption and rapidly evolving needs have accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.