US Study Finds Generative AI Cut Young Workers’ Employment 16% by September 2025
Updated
Updated · lefigaro.fr · May 20
US Study Finds Generative AI Cut Young Workers’ Employment 16% by September 2025
3 articles · Updated · lefigaro.fr · May 20
A US study using high-frequency payroll data found employment for 22- to 25-year-olds fell about 16% in occupations most exposed to generative AI through September 2025.
The hit appears concentrated in hiring pipelines rather than broad layoffs, with entry-level roles in support, administration, consulting and some development and analysis work under the most pressure.
French data point in the same direction: INSEE said employment in IT and information services has declined since 2023 even as value added stayed broadly unchanged, with young entrants most affected.
That contrasts with earlier firm-level studies showing AI adopters often expanded, including French companies that saw roughly 5% gains in sales and employment, suggesting AI can boost growth while still squeezing junior openings.
Economists now frame the key risk less as an immediate job apocalypse than a reshaping of career ladders, training and income distribution as AI automates routine tasks and shifts value toward capital.
If AI makes companies richer, why can't young people find jobs?
Millions of jobs need new AI skills, so why is corporate retraining almost non-existent?
Are mass layoffs a sign of AI's power, or a clever excuse for corporate cuts?
Entry-Level Employment Down 13%: The Immediate and Long-Term Impact of Generative AI on Young Workers
Overview
Generative AI has quickly disrupted entry-level jobs, especially for young workers starting their careers. Research shows that from late 2022 to mid-2025, younger employees in jobs highly exposed to AI faced a clear decline in employment, while older workers in the same fields remained stable or even saw gains. This is because entry-level roles often include tasks that are easier for AI to automate or enhance. As a result, foundational jobs are changing fast, signaling a major shift in the job market and highlighting the urgent need for new skills and adaptability among Gen Z.