Young Workers in AI-Exposed Jobs Are Declining at 3.8% Per Year
US payroll data across 730+ occupations shows employment shrinking for ages 22-25 in AI-heavy roles.
Employment among workers ages 22 to 25 in jobs highly exposed to AI is shrinking by 3.8% per year. That's the finding from an analysis of US payroll data spanning more than 730 occupations.
The research, tied to work led by Stanford economist Erik Brynjolfsson published last August, dug deep into how AI is reshaping the labor market. The payroll data paints a stark picture for the youngest segment of the workforce in roles where AI capabilities overlap most with job functions.
The 3.8% annual decline specifically targets the demographic most likely to be entering these fields. Whether companies are hiring fewer young workers, automating tasks outright, or restructuring roles remains an open question — but the numbers are moving in one clear direction.
The takeaway: AI isn't a hypothetical workforce disruptor anymore. The payroll receipts are starting to show it.