But does the conventional wisdom collide with reality? There may be some good news brewing on the job front, and it comes from AI.
Published in May, the Strada Institute for the Future of Work surveyed nearly 1,500 executives and senior talent leaders across the country, representing a full range of industries and firm sizes (Strada operates around the world and focuses on human capital management, payroll, and workforce services).
The survey examined key questions around entry-level hiring, focusing on the impact of AI.
What it found contradicts the general narrative regarding AI and employment.
Key findings:
- Employers indicate that AI tools are more likely to lift entry-level hiring in their organization.
- Increased use of AI is the most commonly cited significant positive driver of growth in entry-level hiring.
- AI appears to be shifting entry-level work away from routine and administrative tasks toward more complex responsibilities.
- For entry-level roles, critical thinking and communication skills are prioritized over AI literacy.
Nearly three times as many senior talent leaders expect AI to boost entry-level hiring in 2026 as those who anticipate a decline—46% foresee increased hiring, compared with 17% who expect reductions.
