Spacey, which operates the DIO freelance matching service, said on Sunday that automation of frontend implementation driven by the spread of AI is advancing quickly in the field, sharply shrinking demand for hiring and outsourcing frontend developers. It said demand is rising for AI engineers and full-stack workers.

Spacey said demand for frontend work is not declining gradually but appears as a break in continuity from a certain point. It said the phenomenon is observed more clearly in a transition period when the way work is carried out is changing, rather than due to economic factors.

Spacey pointed to UI implementation automation from the spread of AI coding tools as the key cause. It said it was common for multiple people to split screens and components in a workflow that moved from planning to design to frontend development. Recently, it said, AI quickly generates UI drafts and basic implementations, reducing the volume of work that needs to be divided.

As a result, the company added, the scope for one person to complete work to product level through review, revision and integration has expanded, and demand for frontend implementation staff has weakened first.

Spacey also presented an analysis that the shift is observed more quickly in outsourcing and freelance markets. It said companies often test demand first through freelancers and outsourcing before increasing permanent staff. It said if external orders shrink first, it could later affect internal hiring.

Spacey said it is expanding its business into enterprise AX, an area that supports corporate AI transformation across work and organizations. The company said demand for simple implementation staff could decline because of AI, but capabilities to introduce AI safely, connect it to results and establish operations will become more necessary. It said it is supporting enterprise AX based on DIO's high-quality expert network and execution system.