Studies: AI shifts hiring rather than cutting entry-level jobs

Three 2026 studies found that AI-adopting firms grow top-heavy while hiring of young workers in exposed occupations declines. Stanford analyzed 1.25 billion job postings and 154 million employment records across 41 countries: senior employment at adopters rose 6.7% and the junior share fell 2 percentage points.

• Stanford: senior employment at AI adopters +6.7%, junior share -2 pp
• Employment of ages 22-25 in exposed jobs is 19% below expected
• Indeed: entry-level share of postings in exposed fields fell from 29% to 10%
• No layoff wave: effect works through reduced hiring, not separations