Artificial intelligence is innovating many industries, but there is a growing concern among young professionals that AI may be coming for their jobs. Bentley University Lecturer Jeff LeBlanc says that his students occasionally joke about AI taking their jobs.
"Well, we aren't going to get a job anyway because of AI, so who cares?" LeBlanc recounted that a student said during one of LeBlanc’s strategy classes that touched on automation in a Fortune commentary.
LeBlanc then shared some of the conversations he had with students on AI, with some describing it as "hopeless."
Don't Miss:
- The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market — and you can too at just $2.90/share.
- Kevin O'Leary Loves ‘Wonderful Recurring Cash Flows' — These Small Industrial Assets Deliver Just That
Who Is The Most Vulnerable?
AI won't take away every single job. There are some tasks and responsibilities that you can't delegate to AI, but some jobs are in greater danger than others. Goldman Sachs economist Joseph Briggs told Observe Now Media which jobs are on the chopping block.
""The automation wave is not coming—it's already here," Briggs said. "And those performing the most easily automated tasks—often the most junior employees—are naturally the most vulnerable."
That's a big problem for Gen Z, since it's common to enter the workforce in a junior position before climbing the corporate ladder. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms this fear. A startling 9.2% of Americans who are 18 to 24 years old were unemployed in August. That’s a big difference compared to the 3.4% unemployment rate for Americans who are at least 25 years old.
Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.30/share.
It's Worse For Men
The AI boom can complicate the job market and present fewer opportunities for men and women, but the bureau found that men are getting the rough end of the stick.
The unemployment rate for men who are 20 to 24 years old stood at 9.9% last month. The figure was only 8.5% for women. The same story plays out for older individuals. Men who are 25 years or older have a 3.5% unemployment rate, compared to a 3.3% unemployment rate for women of the same age.
Artificial intelligence may increase these disparities.
The numbers only shift in men's favor when they get married. Married men with present spouses had a 2.4% unemployment rate in August, while married women with present spouses had a 2.5% unemployment rate. The gap in the unemployment rate between married men and women has narrowed since the start of the year.
See Also: Kevin O'Leary Says Real Estate's Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years — This Platform Lets Anyone Tap Into It
Focus On What You Can Control
Although there is plenty of doom and gloom around AI's potential to disrupt the job market, LeBlanc shared a positive encounter with a student who presents a path forward.
"If AI really changes everything, we can't control it. So I'd rather focus on what I can do now," one of his students said.
Developing skills and considering human-centric career opportunities can help applicants stand out as AI becomes more mainstream. Embarking on side hustles early can also give Gen Z more career options and flexibility if junior positions vanish at a faster clip.
Read Next: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed Marketplace—Now You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform
Image: Shutterstock
