Young workers are turning toward AI-proof jobs
Entry level jobs are an endangered animal, at least in professions exposed to disruption from AI . While new grads are still seeing opportunities in fields like real estate, utilities and construction, the overall hiring market has been brutal: a whopping 48% of recent college graduates were unemployed (5.6%) or underemployed (42%) and working in jobs that didn’t require a degree in the second…
Young professionals are increasingly seeking employment in jobs that are resistant to artificial intelligence (AI) disruption, according to recent research. In the wake of AI's widespread availability, a Stanford Digital Economy Lab analysis reveals that recent college graduates face a tough job market, with 48% of them either unemployed (5.6%) or underemployed (42%), working in positions that don't necessitate a degree.
The study suggests that younger workers are gravitating towards "AI-proof" jobs that involve physical labor, social interaction, and other skills that are harder to automate. In occupations with high exposure to AI, such as customer service and software engineering, employment among workers aged 22 to 25 has dropped by 19% compared to what it would be if it had kept pace with other professions since 2022.
Conversely, employment has increased by about 10% in less AI-exposed job categories. The gap between younger workers and their experienced counterparts has widened since August 2025, when researchers first identified a 13% divergence. This trend is primarily driven by slower hiring in roles where AI automates human tasks. Unlike younger workers, experienced employees do not exhibit any gap between AI-exposed and less AI-exposed roles.
The findings indicate that AI is reshaping early-career knowledge work, eliminating jobs and instilling anxiety in younger workers. A Pew Research Center survey shows that the percentage of people under 30 who believe AI will lead to fewer jobs has increased by 12% in two years, reaching 73%. Moreover, AI is altering expectations for junior workers in AI-impacted fields, with PwC research indicating that such hires are seven times more likely to require mid-career capabilities like leadership and strategic thinking.
As job security, high education costs, and other factors contribute to Gen Z's growing interest in skilled trades such as construction and plumbing, the shift in employment patterns due to AI is becoming more pronounced.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
