Artificial Intelligence is not just changing how we work it’s reshaping who gets to work. A new study from Stanford University reveals that entry-level jobs in AI-exposed fields have dropped by 13% since late 2022. The decline has hit hardest among 22 to 25-year-olds in roles like software development, customer service, and administrative support. Interestingly, older workers in these same roles are still seeing job growth. Where the impact hits hardest The analysis, based on millions of payroll records from ADP, found that jobs most vulnerable are those where AI automates tasks entirely instead of simply boosting productivity. For young software developers, employment plummeted by nearly 20% since its late-2022 peak. This suggests companies are relying more on automation for basic programming and routine support, shutting out fresh talent trying to enter the workforce. Not just the economy Researchers emphasized that this trend isn’t just about interest rates, economic shifts, or post-pandemic changes. Even after controlling for these factors, the data points clearly to AI adoption as the main driver behind the decline in early-career opportunities. A silver lining Not all industries are shrinking for young workers. In fields less exposed to AI, such as nursing, job opportunities have actually increased across all age groups. This sharp contrast highlights how automation’s disruption is concentrated in roles where machines can easily take over repetitive tasks. The bigger picture While AI debates often focus on “future risks,” the reality is already here: for many young professionals, especially in tech and office support, the first rung of the career ladder is becoming alarmingly unstable.
