The fear that AI would steal our jobs was a red herring. The real disruption? It's changing how we learn to work, and the impact on young professionals is already being felt.
As recent graduates eagerly anticipate their entry into the workforce, a surprising challenge has emerged: artificial intelligence. This technology, initially touted to liberate us from tedious tasks, is ironically reshaping the very landscape of early career opportunities.
The Vanishing First Rung
Traditionally, young professionals begin their careers with internships, entry-level roles, or basic assignments, gaining experience and gradually climbing the career ladder. However, as Aneesh Raman, Head of Business Opportunities at LinkedIn, points out, "the first rung of the career ladder is disappearing." Why? Because companies are increasingly assigning those foundational tasks – administrative duties, repetitive processes, and often unskilled labor – to generative AI.
Tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are already automating tasks previously handled by junior employees: writing code snippets, data entry, and administrative support. The consequence? A decline in opportunities for "on-the-job" learning. And this is the part most people miss...
According to the New York Federal Reserve, the unemployment rate for recent graduates in the United States is 5.8%, slightly higher than the 6.2% rate for younger workers overall. This increase is partially attributed to the rapid automation of entry-level tasks. Companies such as Duolingo and Shopify are already reducing their hiring of junior employees for these roles, opting instead to use AI systems.
Is the Future Bleak for Young People?
Chris Hyams, CEO of Indeed, notes that "in around two-thirds of professions, more than half of the skills required can be performed satisfactorily, or even excellently, by current AI." While AI may not completely eliminate jobs, it's making many stages of the traditional training pathway obsolete.
The paradox is striking: companies are warning of a shortage of skilled labor... but they're not providing the avenues to train that talent. In Europe, this tension is especially pronounced, as companies struggle to recruit experienced technical professionals, while young people find it increasingly difficult to access the positions that would enable them to develop those skills.
If this trend continues, AI won't eliminate millions of jobs overnight; it will simply hinder the emergence of future professionals. In the long run, we risk having powerful tools without enough qualified human resources to oversee and advance them. But here's where it gets controversial... To benefit everyone, we need to rethink how we integrate people into the workforce and ensure a space for human learning as machines take over more tasks.
What do you think? Are you concerned about the impact of AI on early career opportunities? Do you believe companies are adapting effectively to this changing landscape, or are they missing a crucial piece of the puzzle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
