Recent college graduates say AI is crowding them out of entry-level roles, but economists offer a more nuanced view. Erik Brynjolfsson points to payroll data showing a 16% relative employment decline since late 2022 among 22-to-25-year-olds in AI-exposed jobs, while overall unemployment for new grads sits at 5.7% versus 4.1% for all workers. Other economists argue timing and training costs suggest remote work is the bigger culprit: firms prefer experienced hires who can operate independently outside the office. Data from the New York Fed associates rising remote roles with weaker junior hiring, and a Ramp/Revelio Labs study finds heavy AI adopters actually grew entry-level headcount 12% post-adoption. The consensus: an upheaval is underway, AI will reshape work, and the transition may be bumpy—but could ultimately be net positive. For now, experts advise patience as the market adjusts.
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