Talent markets shifted hard in 2022. Project management and organizational design climbed, while demand for advanced technical specialties—especially AI and machine learning—accelerated. Those shifts continue to influence expert selection in complex software disputes, where a seasoned software expert witness can connect technical facts to legal theories efficiently.
AI/ML
Artificial intelligence and machine learning remained the fastest-growing capabilities. One widely cited analysis projected AI/ML job postings to grow ~71% over five years, reflecting a persistent scarcity of qualified talent and rising compensation premiums. (ITCareerFinder) Independent specialists with cross-industry experience help teams validate claims, reproduce results, and explain algorithmic behavior clearly. For broader context on why strategy often lags technology adoption, see Sidespin’s take on the technology strategy paradox. (Sidespin Group)
Cost reduction
Throughout 2023, recession concerns kept cost discipline front and center for executives. Surveys showed more than 60% of CEOs believed their industries were in or heading toward recession, pushing companies toward targeted, expert-led engagements instead of fixed headcount. (Sidespin Group) Related research from The Conference Board and EY echoed elevated caution and deal-driven repositioning. (The Conference Board, EY) In disputes, the same logic applies: retain precisely the expertise needed for the issues in play—such as a software expert witness to scrutinize source code, data hygiene, and evaluation metrics—without building large permanent teams.
Risk management
Risk management doubled in importance as leaders navigated pandemic aftershocks, supply constraints, and talent churn. Executive pulse reporting captured the ongoing emphasis on resilience and operational controls. (PwC) In litigation, methodological rigor is non-negotiable: expert opinions must satisfy the reliability and relevance standards of Rule 702, including the 2023 amendments clarifying the court’s gatekeeping role. (United States Courts, Legal Information Institute) A trial-tested software expert witness bridges legal standards with engineering realities—clarifying what the code actually does, what the data supports, and what conclusions are defensible.
What this means for IP disputes
The skills that dominated 2022—AI/ML depth, surgical cost control, and disciplined risk management—map directly onto high-stakes software matters. Targeted expert engagements accelerate issue-spotting, make discovery more efficient, and reduce opinion fragility under Daubert. When the record turns on algorithms, datasets, and implementation details, a software expert witness provides a short path from evidence to explanation.
Conclusion
Volatile markets favored elite independent talent in 2022 and beyond. For complex software litigation—especially those involving AI/ML—align rigor, cost, and speed with focused expertise. Ready to discuss a matter? Contact Sidespin Group.