A groundbreaking study by Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab has found that artificial intelligence (AI) is disproportionately impacting young, entry-level workers in the United States, leading to a significant decline in job opportunities. The research, which analyzed payroll data from millions of workers, reveals that since late 2022, employment for professionals aged 22 to 25 in occupations most exposed to generative AI has plummeted by 13%. This stark finding paints a picture of a new technological divide, where young workers are bearing the brunt of automation while their older, more experienced counterparts remain largely insulated.
The study, titled “Canaries in the Coal Mine?,” pinpoints specific occupations where the decline is most severe. Industries such as software engineering, customer service, accounting, and administrative support have seen a dramatic drop in entry-level hiring. For young software developers and customer service representatives, employment has fallen by nearly 20% from its peak in late 2022. This trend is not a random fluctuation but a direct consequence of AI tools automating routine, codified tasks that have traditionally formed the foundation of these careers. Experienced workers, who possess “tacit knowledge” and problem-solving skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, have seen their employment remain stable or even grow. This creates a “pipeline paradox,” where the elimination of entry-level roles could prevent a new generation from gaining the experience needed to fill senior positions in the future.
A key insight from the study is the distinction between AI as an automation tool versus an augmentation tool. The negative impact on jobs is concentrated in roles where AI is used to replace human labor entirely, such as basic coding or script-based customer support. In contrast, in professions where AI serves to enhance a worker’s productivity—for example, in medical diagnostics or research support—hiring for young workers has remained stable. This suggests that the future of employment will depend on how companies integrate AI: as a substitute for human effort or as an ally that amplifies human capabilities.
The Stanford findings underscore a growing concern among economists and policymakers. While previous technological shifts have created new opportunities, the speed and scale of this AI-driven change pose a unique challenge for the workforce. The study controlled for other factors, such as the pandemic or economic shifts, to isolate the effects of AI. The data shows a clear and targeted impact on young professionals, raising questions about social mobility and long-term economic stability. For young Americans, the challenge is clear: they must adapt to an economy where traditional career paths are being automated away, and a college degree may no longer guarantee entry into their chosen field.
