Another Impact of AI — Gen Z Losing Entry Level Jobs

Artificial intelligence is doing great things for businesses. Most of the help comes via the little mundane things we humans hate to do. Resume Templates and British Standards Institution (BSI) did surveys of hiring managers around the U.S. and the world. While praising AI and understanding businesses wanting to use it, their conclusions show a side effect of all that help is coming at the expense of Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012.

AI is making a lot of the entry-level jobs filled by Gen Z, disappear.

Resume Templates did a poll of 1,000 hiring managers in the U.S. and got some interesting results.

• 29% have already replaced their entry-level positions and employees with AI
• 31% are considering replacing them and using AI to fill those roles
• 68% of hiring managers say AI is more reliable than Gen Z employees
• 68% of hiring managers say AI will require fewer entry level positions within 5 years
• 41% say technology is faster, more consistent and has fewer errors

That’s not the only reason for cutting the entry level positions being filled by Gen Z employees. Julia Toothacre, the chief career strategist for Resume Templates says 60% of hiring managers have big concerns about Gen Z workers.

• 81% think Gen Z has a poor work ethic
• 74% see the generation as having a sense of entitlement
• 68% say they lack professionalism
• 62% of hiring managers say Gen Z has unrealistic job expectations
• 60% find them having weak communication skills
• 53% say most Gen Z workers are a poor culture fit
• 49% do not find them very prepared

"Years ago, Millennials were labeled the same way. Critiques about entitlement and professionalism have followed every generation entering the workforce," Toothacre said. "It usually comes down to experience, shifting workplace norms, and how schools and parents prepare young professionals for real-world expectations.”

And with that she issued a caution.

"By replacing entry-level roles with AI, companies risk cutting off their own talent pipeline,” she added. “Over time, this will lead to a shortage of skilled mid- and senior-level professionals who never had the opportunity to build foundational experience early in their careers.”

Susan Martin, BSI’s CEO said AI has made lot of that entry-level work disappear around the globe.

• 41% of business leaders around the planet say AI is allowing them to reduce their workforce
• 39% of businesses have already cut entry-level jobs because AI does research, administration and briefing
• 43% will be cutting those entry-level jobs in the next 12 months
• 31% are now looking first at an AI solution before hiring a human being
• 40% may not be doing it now but say they will be within 5 years

Like Toothacre, Martin also issued a warning and said while AI offers some great business opportunities and efficiencies, we can’t lose sight of the fact that it is people that cause progress to be progress.

"AI represents an enormous opportunity for businesses globally, but as they chase greater productivity and efficiency, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is ultimately people who power progress,” Martin said. "Our research makes clear that the tension between making the most of AI and enabling a flourishing workforce is the defining challenge of our time. There is an urgent need for long-term thinking and workforce investment, alongside investment in AI tools, to ensure sustainable and productive employment.”

Source link: Insurance Business America — https://bit.ly/4qnqkEI