Artificial intelligence is already changing the job market in measurable ways. A new Stanford study found that younger workers in AI-exposed industries are losing jobs at a faster pace than their more experienced peers.
The research analyzed payroll data from more than 25 million U.S. workers and uncovered a striking divide. Since late 2022, employment for 22- to 25-year-olds in the most vulnerable sectors has fallen by 6 percent. In contrast, employment for older workers in those same fields has risen between 6 and 9 percent.
Some roles are seeing even steeper losses for early-career employees. In software engineering and customer service, entry-level jobs have dropped by roughly 20 percent, even as more seasoned workers gained ground.
Jobs most exposed to AI
The roles taking the biggest hit are those that rely heavily on routine knowledge work.
Software engineers and coders face competition from AI systems that can generate code. Customer service representatives are being replaced by automated chat systems. Accounting, auditing, administrative work, computer programming, and sales positions are also seeing fewer opportunities for newcomers.
According to the study, these jobs overlap closely with the type of “book learning” that large language models are trained on, making them easier to replicate.
Meanwhile, older employees are holding on. Their advantage is not simply age but experience. They have the tacit knowledge, problem-solving skills, and workplace judgment that AI cannot easily copy.
As one of the study’s authors noted, seasoned workers bring “tricks of the trade” and practical know-how that are not typically found in textbooks or training materials.
Financial implications
If your paycheck comes from a role where tasks are repetitive or based on written knowledge, you may already be in the danger zone. For workers in these jobs, waiting to see how the AI wave unfolds could be risky. Planning now can help soften the blow if your role is disrupted.
Strengthening an emergency fund is one step. Traditional advice of three to six months of expenses may not be enough if an entire job category is shrinking. A target of nine to twelve months could provide better protection. SoFi Checking pays a competitive APY on savings, plus a cash bonus for new members who set up direct deposit. (May change without notice.)
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Diversifying income sources can also help. Side consulting, rental property, dividend-paying investments, or freelance work can add stability if one income stream disappears. FlexJobs lets you browse and apply to verified part-time or work-from-home jobs around the corner and around the world.
Finally, developing skills that complement AI rather than compete directly with it makes a difference. Project management, communication, and complex problem-solving are in demand and harder to automate.
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Adapting to AI in the workplace
Adapting to AI tools is no longer optional. Workers who learn to use them effectively are seeing gains instead of losses. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, nearly one in four employees was already using generative AI weekly as of late 2024.
At the same time, a report by Burtch Works showed that starting salaries for entry-level AI workers rose 12 percent between 2024 and 2025. Both findings suggest new opportunities for those who adopt the technology rather than resist it.
For young professionals, the lesson is clear. Do not rely on skills that AI can already perform. Instead, build expertise in areas where human judgment, adaptability, and context matter.
As the Stanford researchers noted, jobs that depend on tacit knowledge and practical problem-solving are harder to replace. Those who can combine technical knowledge with these uniquely human strengths are likely to be better positioned as the workplace continues to evolve.
Looking ahead
The Stanford study confirms that AI is not just on the horizon but already reshaping employment.
Young workers are seeing opportunities shrink, especially in jobs that mirror the strengths of generative AI. At the same time, employees who learn to work with these tools, not against them, are benefiting.
Protecting your future now means building financial resilience, reskilling with purpose, and staying alert as the workplace continues to shift.
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