MIT Researcher Warns Automating Entry-Level Jobs May Harm Future Workforce Development

Companies automating entry-level positions held by Generation Z workers may face long-term workforce challenges, according to MIT research scientist Andrew McAfee. McAfee, who co-leads MIT’s Initiative on the Digital Economy, stated that such automation could eliminate opportunities for on-the-job training.

He explained that workers learn difficult knowledge-based tasks by assisting experienced colleagues with routine duties.

McAfee noted that reducing entry-level hiring risks losing access to Generation Z's AI proficiency. A Deloitte study found that 76% of Generation Z uses standalone AI tools, the highest rate among generations. Older workers are less inclined to adopt new technologies like AI, McAfee added.

By limiting entry-level roles, companies may sacrifice future learning opportunities and skilled personnel, McAfee said. He also cofounded Workhelix, a startup that helps companies assess AI return on investment.

Job postings on Handshake, a platform for entry-level roles, decreased 2% year-over-year and 12% below pre-pandemic levels, according to a report on the class of 2026. The unemployment rate for college graduates aged 22 to 27 is 5.6%, based on New York Fed data.

Nearly 90% of 2026 graduates expressed concern that AI or automation could replace entry-level jobs, up from 64% in 2025, per a Monster survey. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has stated that AI could eliminate up to half of entry-level white-collar jobs.

A Goldman Sachs analysis indicated that college-educated young workers experience earnings losses about half as large as other displaced workers in the decade after job loss. These workers are more likely to switch occupations and adapt to roles that complement new technologies.

Some technology companies are expanding hiring of early-career talent. IBM plans to triple its entry-level hiring to build durable skills, according to IBM CEO Arvind Krishna in an October statement.

“People are talking about either layoffs or freezing hiring, but I actually want to say that we are the opposite," IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said in October. "I expect we are probably going to hire more people out of college over the next 12 months than we have in the past few years, so you’re going to see that." This week, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced the company is hiring 1,000 new graduates and interns to develop AI systems. Amazon plans to hire 11,000 software engineering interns in 2026, consistent with prior years, as stated by AWS CEO Matt Garman. Garman reported that demand for software developers at Amazon is accelerating. These hiring strategies aim to integrate young workers into AI-related operations.”