A recent CNN-reported story highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping the job landscape for young workers and teens entering the workforce. With AI increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally done by humans, entry-level roles — the jobs many teens and new graduates rely on for early career experience — are facing significant disruption. Experts suggest employment for 20- to 24-year-olds has already dipped in some sectors as AI tools take over routine work, and some industry leaders warn this trend could worsen.
The article notes that technology and economics specialists largely agree that many jobs familiar to young workers are “poised to be disrupted” by AI. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has predicted that up to half of white-collar entry-level jobs could disappear in the coming years due to automation, though there’s debate over how quickly this will happen. These shifts have even forced high schools and colleges to reconsider how they teach students about AI — with learning and applying AI tools becoming seen as essential preparation for future careers.
To provide a clearer picture, CNN talked to three high school students about how these changes are influencing their plans. Some teens are shifting their sights toward fields like healthcare or other areas believed to be less vulnerable to automation, while others are trying to integrate AI into their skillset to stay competitive. The story underscores the growing emphasis on skills and adaptability rather than traditional degrees alone, with many employers now looking for candidates who can combine AI fluency with creativity, analytical thinking and real-world problem solving.
Industry data supports this trend: LinkedIn and research firms report that skills most in demand will change dramatically by 2030, meaning adaptability and continuous learning may be more valuable than following a single career path. For teens, this could mean learning how to use AI creatively — from building apps to applying tools to enhance their studies — in order to navigate a job market where AI is both a challenge and a potential advantage.
