AI Threatens the Job You Had After College
Generative artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market, starting with entry-level roles. Executives from leading AI companies and social networks are offering grim assessments of the future for recent graduates.
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, predicts that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, potentially sending overall unemployment soaring to 20% within five years. This stark warning comes as his company unveils a new version of Claude, an AI capable of coding unassisted for hours.
LinkedIn's data supports these concerns, with an executive noting, "I see the bottom rung of the career ladder breaking." The US Federal Reserve's report on recent college graduates shows unemployment rates climbing to 5.8%, the highest since 2021, with underemployment at a staggering 41.2%.
The Future of Work with AI
Companies are expected to reformulate entry-level jobs, integrating AI tools as standard requirements. Microsoft's Satya Nadella claims AI writes 30% of the company's code, while Meta's Mark Zuckerberg asserts that mid-level coders may no longer be needed by 2025.
Business Insider recently laid off 20% of its staff, with the CEO announcing a shift to an "AI-first" newsroom. This move highlights the immediate impact of AI on industries like journalism, where entry-level roles often involve tasks AI can perform efficiently.
The Short-Term Pain
Recent graduates face a challenging transition, as employers may doubt their familiarity with AI-driven workflows. However, the responsibility isn't solely on the graduates—employers are still figuring out how to integrate AI effectively.
Axios reports that companies are hesitant to replace departing workers, betting on AI to fill the gaps. This uncertainty leaves many entry-level positions in limbo, with AI's role in the workforce still evolving.
Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, last year. Photograph: Manuel Orbegozo/Reuters
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