AI Could Flip the Script: Older Workers May Gain Upper Hand as CEOs Target Junior Roles

When it comes to job cuts, older workers are often disproportionately affected. But a new survey of chief executive officers suggests this won’t be a given as companies adopt artificial intelligence.

More than 40% of CEOs plan to cut junior roles over the next one to two years and shift the composition of their workforce toward mid-level or senior positions, while only 17% plan to make junior roles a bigger part of the mix, according to a global survey by Oliver Wyman. The numbers are essentially flipped from just a year ago.

This shift indicates that AI adoption may tilt leverage toward older, more experienced workers, as companies seek to reduce entry-level positions that are more easily automated. The trend could reshape hiring strategies and career progression, with implications for job seekers at all levels.