Gen Z job openings have dwindled since 2022 as AI slams entry-level roles: study

Job openings for young adults aged 22 to 25, a key demographic for Generation Z job seekers, have declined by 13% since 2022 in industries heavily exposed to artificial intelligence. This trend coincides with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, which spurred significant investment by US firms in AI to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Major employers like Amazon, UPS, and Target have implemented layoffs, with IBM also announcing job cuts, as they accelerate automation efforts. The impact is particularly felt in roles involving heavy data entry and mundane tasks, which are often entry-level positions appealing to Gen Z graduates. While overall job postings in the US have decreased by approximately 32% since 2022, roles considered pathways for young white-collar workers are experiencing a substantial decline. Although AI is expected to create new jobs in areas like software engineering, its current effect is a tightening job market for entry-level positions. Despite companies being hesitant to explicitly attribute job cuts to AI, the technology is widely believed to be a significant factor. Amazon, for instance, has announced significant layoffs citing a need to "reduce bureaucracy," while UPS and Target have also implemented substantial workforce reductions. Projections suggest that job cuts due to AI and automation could escalate ove... download the app to read more