AI-Exposed Jobs Declined for Young Workers

Employment in AI-exposed roles for workers aged 22 to 25 fell by 4.4 percent in August.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Employment

Isometric editorial illustration of a steel architectural column, a vacant office chair, and empty tubes, representing shifting labor demand for younger workers. — Employment in AI-exposed roles for workers aged 22 to 25 declined 4.4 percent in August, according to data from the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and ADP Research. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe artificial intelligence development is harming job security for young people in the US?

Employment for workers aged 22 to 25 in roles exposed to artificial intelligence fell 4.4 percent year-on-year in August. This marks a continuation of a downward trend that has seen these roles contract every month since October 2023.

Why it matters

The consistent decline suggests that younger workers are facing significant shifts in labor demand as companies adjust their workforce needs in response to emerging artificial intelligence tools. Tracking these roles provides insight into how technological adoption reshapes entry-level career opportunities.

Employment in roles identified as AI-exposed for the 22 to 25 age demographic fell 4.4 percent year-on-year as of August. This figure follows a streak of monthly contractions that began in October 2023.

The players

Stanford Digital Economy Lab

This academic institution researches the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on labor markets and the global economy.

ADP Research

This organization leverages large-scale payroll data to provide insights and analysis regarding employment trends and workforce changes.

The details

The data was compiled through the Canaries Dashboard project, a research effort conducted by the Stanford Digital Economy Lab and ADP Research. The study specifically focused on tracking fluctuations in job roles susceptible to displacement or modification by artificial intelligence.

October 2023 marked the start of the monthly contraction period for AI-exposed roles.
August 2026 saw a 4.4 percent year-on-year decline in employment for the affected demographic.

Macro View

This decline follows the tracking metrics established by the Canaries Dashboard project, which measures how rapidly AI integration alters traditional job markets. It serves as an updated figure in a longitudinal study of how emerging technology cycles affect young workers compared to past shifts in office automation.

Younger job seekers may find that entry-level positions in sectors highly exposed to AI are becoming more competitive or scarce. This trend could necessitate a shift in skill development for new graduates entering the workforce in fields susceptible to automation.

The takeaway

Workers aged 22 to 25 should consider diversifying their skill sets to include tasks that complement rather than compete with AI-driven software. Staying informed about which specific job roles are contracting can help in making more strategic career path decisions.