Thu Dec 04 2025

North Carolina is becoming one of the fastest rising tech hubs in the country. Matt sits down with Brooks Raiford, CEO of NC Tech, to unpack the forces shaping the region’s innovation economy. They get into hiring trends, the truth about the AI skills gap, why non-tech companies now dominate tech hiring, and the surprising drop in computer science majors. Brooks explains how employers are navigating rapid AI transformation and why soft skills still matter. They also talk leadership, communication habits that elevate influence and the challenges start-ups face. It’s a grounded, wide-angle look at tech, talent and the future of work. TOPIC TIME CODES 00:00 – 06:06: NC Tech overview and annual programming 06:06: Membership composition and geographic breakdown 10:16: Small business presence, local HQ footprint, and non-traditional members 14:36: Hiring data and the monthly IT job trends dashboard 16:40: Top hiring companies and non-tech sectors driving demand 19:20: Talent suppl...