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The AI Generation: How young professionals are navigating the new reality of the job market

You are 24 years old, have a fresh degree, and an excellent resume. But you are not the only one applying for the position—there are 200 other candidates, as well as an algorithm that works 24/7 and does not ask for a raise. Artificial intelligence is becoming an everyday reality for young employees. But are they ready for it?

A reality that arrived faster than we expected

When ChatGPT debuted in late 2022, few people predicted how quickly artificial intelligence would change the face of the job market—especially for its youngest participants.

Today, less than three years later, young professionals face an unprecedented challenge: they must compete not only with other candidates, but also with algorithms that can do some of their work faster and cheaper.

The data is clear. According to a March 2025 Gallup poll for the Walton Family Foundation, as many as 79% of Gen Zers use AI tools, and nearly half (47%) use them at least once a week. This may sound impressive—a generation that was born with technology in their hands easily adapts to the next innovation. However, the truth is more complex.

Between enthusiasm and fear: an emotional rollercoaster

Young people’s relationship with artificial intelligence is fascinatingly ambivalent. On the one hand, they see its potential – 36% express excitement about the possibilities AI offers. On the other hand, 41% of young people admit that this technology makes them feel anxious.

This anxiety has specific grounds. A Deutsche Bank study from the summer of 2025 shows that nearly one in five young employees (24% of those aged 18-34) express deep concerns that AI will take away their jobs within the next two years. By comparison, only 10% of workers over the age of 55 express such concerns.

Even more disturbing are the data from the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. Researchers analyzed millions of payroll records and found that since the end of 2022, employment of young workers (aged 22-25) in occupations most vulnerable to AI—such as customer service, accounting, and software development—has fallen by 13%. Meanwhile, older workers in the same fields have maintained stable employment or even seen an increase.

The education paradox in the AI era

One of the most acute effects of the AI revolution is the growing sense of devaluation of traditional education. Nearly half (49%) of young Generation Z job seekers believe that artificial intelligence has reduced the value of their degree in the job market.

This statement is justified. AI is already capable of performing many tasks that were taught at universities just a few years ago: writing reports, analyzing data, creating presentations, and even writing code. Young graduates who have invested years in learning these skills suddenly discover that their “textbook knowledge” – referred to by researchers as “codified knowledge” – can easily be replaced by an algorithm.

The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2025” report predicts that 40% of employers plan to reduce employment in areas where AI can automate tasks. At the same time, experts estimate that by 2030, 39% of the key skills required in the labor market will change.

A gap in preparation: lack of support at a critical moment

Although young people use AI intensively, 52% of them believe that schools should be required to teach how to use this technology effectively. What’s more, nearly one-third (29%) of young Generation Z employees believe that AI has no application in their work at all – which may indicate a lack of awareness or adequate training.

Research shows a clear correlation between institutional support and a sense of readiness. Students whose schools openly allow the use of AI are 25% more likely to feel prepared to use this technology after graduation than those whose schools prohibit the use of AI (57% vs. 32%).

This problem is not limited to schools. In the workplace, 36% of young employees believe that the risks associated with AI outweigh the benefits, and two-thirds say they trust work done by humans more than work assisted or done by AI.

Cognitive skills at risk

One of the most troubling concerns among young people is the impact of AI on their own cognitive abilities. According to the Gallup survey, nearly half (49%) of Gen Zers fear that artificial intelligence will harm their critical thinking skills.

These fears are not unfounded. It is safe to say that nowadays, the answer to any question is just a click away, and AI can generate a complete analysis in a second, so the temptation to rely on technology instead of thinking for oneself is enormous. Young people intuitively sense this trap—although AI can help them “find accurate information” (43% believe AI has a positive impact on this skill), just as many (38%) fear a negative impact on the same ability.

What young employees need to know: a guide to the new reality

1. AI is a tool, not a competitor

The most important change in perspective that young professionals need is to see AI as a partner, not an adversary. PwC research shows that employees with AI skills earn 43% more than their colleagues doing the same job without these skills – up from 25% a year earlier.

2. Develop “uniquely human” skills

Algorithms are getting better and better at technical tasks, so the most valuable skills are those that machines cannot replicate:

  • Creativity and innovation – the ability to generate new, original ideas that go beyond the norm
  • Emotional intelligence – empathy, relationship building, understanding social context
  • Critical thinking – evaluating information, identifying errors, challenging assumptions
  • Adaptability – flexibility in the face of change, quick learning of new tools
  • Leadership and collaboration – managing teams, resolving conflicts, motivating others

The McKinsey report clearly indicates that these “soft skills” will be key to professional success in the AI era.

3. Learn continuously – it’s not an option, it’s a necessity

The days when the education you received in your youth was enough for your entire career are definitely over. Currently, 75% of employers in the US say that continuous learning and skill development is their top priority.

Experts point to several specific areas for development:

  • Knowledge of AI and its practical applications – understanding what AI is, what its limitations are, and how it can support your work
  • Technological skills – the basics of data analysis, cybersecurity, and programming
  • Prompt engineering – the ability to communicate effectively with AI tools
  • AI ethics and responsibility – understanding the ethical implications of using AI

4. Look for roles that connect people and technology

The safest jobs are those where AI supports human work but does not replace it. According to data from the PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer 2025, industries that increase their use of AI do not lose jobs – they transform them. Fields such as healthcare, education, consulting, and creative industries need people who can combine the technical capabilities of AI with human skills.

5. Demand support and transparency

As young employees, you have the right to demand the following from employers and educational institutions:

  • Clear AI policies – when and how AI can be used
  • Training and support – real help in developing AI-related skills
  • Transparency – information about how AI is used in the organization and how it affects your jobs

Research shows that young employees in companies with clear AI policies are much more likely to use these tools regularly and feel more confident in using them.

What to fear (and how to mitigate it)

Automation of entry-level positions

The biggest threat is the narrowing of entry paths into the job market. Traditional junior positions—assistants, junior analysts, interns—have always been a place where young people gain experience. AI is beginning to take over these roles.

What to do: Look for alternative ways to gain experience—personal projects, volunteering, freelancing, building an online portfolio. Show that you can work with AI, not against it.

Pressure to reduce salaries

As the number of entry-level positions declines, employers may lower salary expectations, arguing that AI “supports” the work of junior employees.

What to do: Develop skills that have market value and are difficult to automate. Document your achievements and impact on the organization. Don’t be afraid to negotiate.

Deepening inequality

Access to the best AI tools and training can be expensive, which can lead to deepening social disparities.

What to do: Take advantage of free resources—many educational platforms offer free AI courses. Build a network of contacts and share your knowledge. Demand that public institutions provide equal access to AI education.

Loss of autonomy and creativity

Over-reliance on AI can lead to the atrophy of one’s own thinking and creativity skills.

What to do: Treat AI as a starting point, not an end product. Always verify, question, and develop what AI generates. Set aside “AI-free zones” – time and tasks that you perform without the help of technology.

Long-term perspective: data-driven optimism

Despite all the challenges, this is not a time to panic. History shows that every technological revolution has ultimately created more jobs than it has eliminated—albeit different types of jobs.

A World Economic Forum report predicts that while technology may eliminate 9 million jobs, it will also create 11 million new ones. The key to success will be flexibility and a willingness to learn continuously.

What’s more, industries such as cybersecurity (32% increase in projected jobs), healthcare (52% increase for nurse practitioners), and AI and machine learning specialists are among the fastest-growing occupational categories.

The generation that will define the future

Young workers today face a challenge that may seem overwhelming. But they also have something that older generations do not have—their entire careers ahead of them in a world with AI. They will define how this technology will change the workplace, what regulations it will adopt, and how it will be used ethically.

The most important message for young professionals is: don’t ignore AI, don’t be afraid of it, but don’t idealize it either. Treat it as a powerful tool that requires understanding, a critical approach, and responsible use.

Your ability to adapt, your natural digital fluency, and your awareness of the ethical challenges associated with technology are assets that cannot be underestimated. Use them to shape a future of work that combines the best of technology with the most valuable aspects of humanity.

The future does not belong to humans versus machines or machines versus humans. It belongs to those who learn to work together.

Sources

  1. Gallup, Walton Family Foundation & GSV Ventures (2025) – “Gen Z and AI: Gaps in School and Workplace Support”
  2. Stanford Digital Economy Lab (2025) – “Generative AI’s Impact on Early-Career Employment”
  3. World Economic Forum (2025) – “Future of Jobs Report 2025”
  4. PwC (2025) – “Global AI Jobs Barometer 2025”
  5. Deloitte (2024) – “Gen Z and Millennial Survey”
  6. Deutsche Bank Research (2025) – “AI and Job Concerns Survey”
  7. McKinsey Global Institute (2024) – “Upskilling and Reskilling in the Era of AI”