MIT Study Finds 18% of U.S. Workers in New Tech Jobs, Favoring Under-30 Graduates
Updated
Updated · MIT News · May 21
MIT Study Finds 18% of U.S. Workers in New Tech Jobs, Favoring Under-30 Graduates
1 articles · Updated · MIT News · May 21
18% of U.S. workers in 2011-2023 held occupations introduced since 1970, and MIT economist David Autor’s new study finds those jobs disproportionately went to college graduates under 30 in urban areas.
2.9 percentage points separated college graduates from high school graduates in access to new work, which also carried a wage premium that faded as specialized skills spread and became easier to automate.
1940 workers already in new occupations were 2.5 times more likely to still be in new work by 1950, suggesting early entry into emerging specialties can have lasting career effects.
85% to 90% of new work from 1940 to 1950 was technology-driven, with counties that gained WWII-era federally backed factories generating more new occupations and showing demand can shape innovation.
AI’s job impact remains uncertain, but Autor argues policy and public spending—especially in health care, where more than half of dollars are public—could steer it toward creating specialized work instead of only replacing tasks.
Can government investment truly steer corporate AI towards creating jobs instead of just cutting costs?
AI is disrupting career ladders. How can workers without degrees find a new path to the middle class?
When AI can master expert skills, what will it mean to be a professional in the future?
The AI Revolution in American Jobs: Immediate Disruption, Emerging Opportunities, and Policy Responses
Overview
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the U.S. labor market, with its impact most visible in sectors like technology, where employment shares have dropped below long-term trends. While the overall effect on jobs is still subtle, certain occupations face high risks of being replaced by AI, especially where machines can handle most core tasks. At the same time, jobs that require human judgment or specialized expertise are more likely to be supported and enhanced by AI. Young workers in highly AI-exposed roles are experiencing lower employment rates, highlighting the need for new skills and adaptability as the workforce evolves.