For years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been touted as a technological revolution that has the potential to radically change the way people work. However, discussions about AI and the labor market have often been speculative, with little real data to back them up. That has changed with the release of new research from Stanford University, offering a clearer picture of AI’s true impact on entry-level jobs.

The report, released on August 26, quickly attracted the attention of the media, economists and policymakers. The reason is that the report not only provides specific data but also points out the profound changes taking place in many industries. If in the past people argued that AI could only support humans, now reality has proven: AI is directly "eating" jobs that were opportunities for young people or new graduates. This article will analyze the content of the study in detail, explain why the impact of AI is so strong, and discuss the consequences and solutions that businesses, governments and workers need to consider in the new context.

1. Stanford University Research

According to the report, since late 2022, when AI tools like ChatGPT first became popular, the number of job postings for entry-level positions has dropped by an average of 13%. This is a significant number when considering the scale of the entire labor market. The researchers compare this impact to the wave of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work quickly spread and became the new norm. Now, AI is creating a similarly rapid and widespread change.

It is worth noting that the impact is not evenly distributed. Some occupations have been hit harder, especially those that are repetitive or easily automated. Two areas that stand out in this group are administrative, office (secretaries, assistants) and customer service. These have traditionally been popular entry-level jobs for young workers, where they can learn soft skills, understand business processes and gain experience before moving up to more senior positions. But now the door is closing.

2. Which jobs are most “threatened” by AI?

The report highlights a clear fact: jobs that are repetitive, follow fixed processes, and require little creativity are easy targets for AI to replace. For example, administrative staff have to handle a large amount of work such as data entry, document organization, text drafting according to templates, managing meeting schedules, or sending mass emails. These are all tasks that can be automated by smart management software or AI chatbots, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

In the field of customer care, which is heavily dependent on call center staff or online chat, AI has shown its superiority. Modern chatbots are capable of answering thousands of questions per minute, recognizing natural language and responding accurately in repetitive situations. For basic questions such as looking up order information, changing passwords or warranty policies, AI can handle them much faster and cheaper than humans. This has led many companies to cut frontline staff and only retain teams with complex problem-solving skills or highly personalized communication.

Notably, junior programmers are also at risk. AI tools that support programming such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT or Claude can automatically write basic code, suggest solutions, even optimize and fix errors. Many businesses are starting to consider replacing or reducing the number of junior programmers to increase efficiency and cut costs. This does not mean that programmers will be eliminated, but simple skills such as writing basic code will no longer be enough to compete.

From the above trends, it can be seen that AI is not only affecting a few fields but is spreading to many industries, especially “entry-level” positions for young people and new graduates. In order not to be left behind, workers need to proactively learn more creative skills, strategic thinking, complex problem solving and communication.

3. When the career path is shortened

The implications of this change are not limited to job losses for a small group of people, but could have a ripple effect throughout the entire labor system. Traditionally, the career path for many people has been to start at an entry-level position, gain experience, and gradually move up to higher positions. As opportunities at the lower levels shrink, the system will face a shortage of mid-level and senior-level personnel in the future.

A Stanford University report warns that without a proper training and adaptation strategy, businesses could face a succession crisis in the next few years. As senior leaders retire, it will be difficult to find competent and experienced replacements, as the younger generation will no longer have the opportunity to accumulate from basic positions.

This is a difficult problem not only for businesses but also for governments and education systems. It raises the question: What skills will we train and equip young workers with in the AI ​​age so that they are not left behind?

One interesting point that the Stanford study highlights is that not all businesses that adopt AI are successful. There are many cases where companies are too quick to replace employees with chatbots or automated tools, only to encounter a series of problems. The reason is that AI, while smart, has its limits.

AI can answer repetitive questions, but when it comes to complex situations that require understanding customer psychology or flexible decision-making, humans still play a key role. A chatbot cannot comfort a customer complaining about a last-minute flight cancellation, nor can it negotiate flexibly like a seasoned customer service representative.

This shows that the human role is still not completely replaceable. AI can do some jobs well, but the combination of AI and humans creates optimal efficiency. The report emphasizes that businesses need to prepare and properly assess the impact of technology, instead of following trends without anticipating risks.

4. Long-term trends of AI and the labor market

A key takeaway from the Stanford study is that the impact of AI on the labor market is no longer a prediction but a reality. While the impact has not yet spread across the entire economy, the pace of change is rapid. This requires governments, businesses, and workers to have adaptive strategies.

In the long term, the irreversible trend is that AI will become more powerful and capable of taking over more jobs. But that does not mean that all jobs will be lost. History has shown that each wave of technology has created a shift in labor, accompanied by new jobs. The problem is that we must predict the trend correctly and prepare the necessary skills.

Skills related to creative thinking, analysis, social communication, and people management will become increasingly important. Education systems need to focus on these competencies rather than just teaching repetitive skills.

5. Warnings from Stanford study and lessons for the future

A Stanford University study is a wake-up call: AI is changing the way we work much faster than predicted. The biggest impact is occurring in the low-level jobs that underpin the entire labor system. If we don’t prepare now, the risk of a future workforce crisis is real.

But the report also offers an optimistic message: the human role remains extremely important. Businesses that intelligently combine AI and humans will gain a distinct competitive advantage. Conversely, those who see AI as a complete replacement may pay the price for its inflexibility.

For workers, especially young people, this research highlights the importance of continuous learning and upskilling. The world is changing rapidly and those who are well prepared will not only survive but also take advantage of new opportunities.

6. Conclusion

AI has already proven its power in many areas. A recent study from Stanford University shows that its impact is no longer theoretical but already present in reality. The number of low-level jobs has decreased by 13%, which is clear evidence. However, the impact of AI is not necessarily negative if we know how to adapt.

The question is no longer “Will AI take our jobs?” but “How will we change to work with AI?” Rather than fear, we need to see this as an opportunity to restructure the way we work, invest in new skills, and build a more sustainable future of work.

The Stanford report paints a picture of both challenges and opportunities. AI is already changing the way humans work and eating away at repetitive tasks. But if done right, we can create a more flexible, efficient, and humane labor market in the age of technology.