Stanford Study Finds AI Is Quietly Shutting Out Young Workers as Entry-Level Job Gap Widens to 19 Percent

A Stanford University study reveals AI is quietly eliminating entry-level opportunities for workers ages 22 to 25, with employment in AI-exposed fields now 19 percent below peers in less-impacted roles — a gap that has surged from 13 percent just one year ago, driven by declining hiring rather than layoffs.

• A Stanford University study reveals that employment for workers ages 22 to 25 in the most AI-exposed occupations is now 19 percent below that of peers in less AI-impacted fields, a gap that has widened from 13 percent just one year ago.
• The decline is being driven primarily by lower hiring rates rather than increased layoffs, with jobs involving AI automation — such as accounting and receptionist roles — showing the steepest drops in entry-level employment, while augmentative AI roles remain more stable.
• Lead researcher Erik Brynjolfsson warns that the labor market is quietly closing the on-ramp for new workers, with entry-level job losses persisting and expanding even as overall employment levels across all age groups remain relatively unaffected.