A new study released today may help recruit younger Americans into the trades. A group of Stanford economists released a paper providing granular, empirical data showing that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is destroying job opportunities for younger workers. The paper relies on data that is it far more comprehensive than the survey of households the U.S. Labor Department uses for its monthly employment report.
The economists found that AI can automate and replace entry level workers for many of the tasks performed by software developers, receptionists, translators, and customer service representatives. Overall employment in these fields has softened since late 2022 relative to other occupations, with the weakness concentrated among younger workers. The number of software developers aged 22 to 25, for example, was nearly 20% lower this July versus its late 2022 peak. The study confirms that generative AI is already a daunting obstacle for the large number of students earning bachelor’s degrees in computer science and other occupations that were previously reliable entry level jobs for young workers.