For years, the expression "the robot took my job" has brought to mind visions of machines replacing workers on factory floors. But Gen Z is facing a new challenge: the loss of internships and other entry-level positions to AI.
Author
- Melise Panetta
Lecturer of Marketing in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
Internships and junior roles have historically provided a predictable ladder into the workforce by providing new workers with the experience and skills needed for long-term career development.
But as artificial intelligence (AI) spreads to every corner of the modern workplace, these roles are susceptible to being replaced by automation .
Entry-level roles traditionally involve low-complexity, high-frequency tasks such as data entry, scheduling or drafting reports - tasks that generative AI can do significantly cheaper and faster than a human. This almost certainly means fewer traditional bottom rungs on the career ladder.
We are already seeing the impact of this: entry-level jobs are becoming scarcer, with candidates competing against a 14 per cent hike in applications per role, according to LinkedIn .
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AI is changing the workplace
The integration of AI across industries is fundamentally reshaping the job market .
Nearly half of professionals worry AI will replace their jobs . There is good reason for this: by 2030, it's estimated that nearly 30 per cent of work could be automated by generative AI.
Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of executives say they are willing to use AI tools to drive up productivity at the expense of losing staff. Conversely, only one in three executives are willing to keep their staff at the expense of higher expected productivity.
It is also projected that declines in traditional entry-level or junior roles in sectors such as food services, customer service, sales and office support work could account for nearly 84 per cent of the occupational shifts expected by 2030.
Talent and entry-level role shortages in the future
Data on AI and the future of work also points to another potential problem: a talent shortage for certain skill sets. A 2024 report from Microsoft and LinkedIn found that leaders are concerned with shortages in areas such as cybersecurity, engineering and creative design.
Though this data might appear contradictory, it signals that in addition to fewer entry level positions being available, changes to job roles and skill sets are also on the horizon.
As a result, competition for entry-level roles is expected to increase, with greater value put on candidates who can use AI tools to improve their productivity and effectiveness.
Rather than simply eliminating jobs, many roles are evolving to require new capabilities. There is also growing demand for specialized talent where AI cannot yet fully augment human abilities.
AI literacy is the new entry requirement
As AI becomes more prevalent in the workforce, "entry-level" roles are no longer just about completing basic tasks, but about knowing how to work effectively with new technologies, including AI.
Employers are beginning to place immense value on AI literacy. Two-thirds of managers say they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills and 71 per cent say they would prefer a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without them.
With fewer entry-level positions available, young workers will need to figure out how to stand out in a competitive job market. But despite these challenges, Gen Z may also be the best-positioned to adapt to these changes.
As digital natives, many Gen Z are already integrating AI tools into their work. A report from LinkedIn and Microsoft found 85 per cent are bringing AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot into the workplace , indicating they are both comfortable and eager to make use of this technology.
This trend mirrors broader trends across the workforce. One report found 76 per cent of professionals believe they need AI-related skills to remain competitive . That same Microsoft and LinkedIn report found there has been a 160 per cent surge in learning courses for AI literacy.
This growing emphasis on AI skills is part of a wider shift toward " upskilling " - the process of enhancing skill sets to adapt to the changing conditions of the job market. Today, upskilling means leaning how to use AI to enhance, accelerate and strengthen your performance in the workplace.
A new kind of entry-level job
Since AI literacy is becoming a core career skill, being able to present yourself as a candidate with AI skills is important for standing out in a crowded entry-level job market. This includes knowing how to use AI tools, evaluate their outputs critically and apply them in a workplace context. It also means learning how to present AI skills on a resume and in interviews.
Employers also have a role to play in all this. If they want to attract and retain employees, they need to redesign entry-level roles . Instead of eliminating entry-level roles, they should refocus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking or creativity. These are the areas where humans outperform machines, and where AI can act as a support rather than a replacement.
But to make this work, employers need to re-evaluate their hiring practices to prioritize AI literacy and transferable skills over outdated experience requirements.
The future of work isn't about humans being replaced by robots, but about learning how to use the technology to enhance skills and creating new entry points into the professional world.
Melise Panetta does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
