Generation Z is currently at the beginning of their careers. However, an industry that was once known for good entry-level and advancement opportunities is becoming increasingly inaccessible to them.
Which industry is it? It primarily affects the tech industry, including jobs related to software development, IT services, data analysis, or technical assistance. This sector was once seen as a guarantee of jobs with a future. Today, however, many traditional entry-level positions are disappearing here, replaced by artificial intelligence.
As current data shows, unemployment among young tech professionals in the USA has risen significantly since early 2024. Especially affected are 20 to 24-year-olds with a computer science degree. This is according to a new analysis by the US investment bank Goldman Sachs, which regularly evaluates economic trends. According to a report by Business Insider, their unemployment rate has increased by almost three percentage points – about four times more than the increase in the overall job market.
How advanced AI tools already are is also shown in this video. In it, students use a hidden camera and AI to find out personal data from strangers in seconds.
Ready for jobs that no longer exist
Why is it affecting Gen Z in particular? Many companies specifically use AI where processes can be easily automated, and these are often exactly the tasks that were previously assigned to entry-level employees. This includes simple programming tasks, bug fixing, data preparation, or initial steps in customer support.
As the Wall Street Journal reports, several companies have canceled their entry-level programs. Instead of training young talents, they are relying on efficient AI solutions or experienced professionals. For graduates without work experience, this is a massive problem, as they cannot even enter the race without initial job experience.
What’s next for Gen Z? What’s missing is the classic starting point: a job where one gains experience, grows, and develops. Instead, many young people find themselves facing a job market right after university that does not accept them.
However, the situation is not entirely without prospects. Experts advise focusing on fields that are not easily replaced by AI. Also, soft skills such as communication, team leadership, or critical thinking are gaining importance because they are difficult to automate. As tech company IBM reports, more and more companies are investing in internal training to prepare employees for collaboration with AI.
Already in 2023, the investment bank Goldman Sachs warned that up to 300 million jobs worldwide could be displaced or significantly changed by AI, as also reported by Forbes. Former Google manager Mo Gawdat warns in a report on WebProNews that the really big upheavals are still to come. Starting in 2027, he estimates that AI will not only replace entry-level positions but also take over complex office and knowledge jobs. This transformation could take up to 15 years.
Generation Z struggles to enter an industry that no longer needs them. AI takes over tasks before humans even get the chance to start. And what remains if one does get a job? An AI disregards all precautions and autonomously deletes the entire work of a developer in seconds.
