Bill Gates: Generation Z is not safe from the impacts of AI on the job market

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has advice for the newly graduated: embrace AI tools, but don’t expect stability in the search for job.

Gates said intelligent systems usually reveal opportunities that are “fun and empowering,” he told. However, this may not mean that ambitious graduates will get their dream jobs just using AI; The job market is still difficult, even for those who understand these applications.

“Embracing (AI) and accompanying it will be very, very important,” said Gates. “This does not guarantee that we will not have much disorganization.”

Gates said he has not changed his recommendations to young people: “Be curious, read and use the latest tools,” he said.

AI shook the initial level careers

Generation Z is increasingly exhausted from the search for employment before it even starts. Frustrated candidates have complained at Tiktok about the number of rejection emails they received from companies and expressed the fear that the job market is broken. And recent data confirm this: vacancies for initial level jobs in the US have decreased by 35% since January 2023, and the positions that can be easily automated by AI are suffering a disproportionately large impact.

Recent survey showed that 49% of US generation hunters in the US believes AI has reduced the value of its diplomas. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for college students has risen to more than 6% in the last 12 months until May, while the general unemployment rate is around 4%.

The replacement of initial level work by AI is already being felt in all sectors. In the global investment company Carlyle, previous contractors for initial level positions that evaluated businesses used to resort to Google for articles and request documents manually. Now the work is being done by AI, and the company is changing to hire junior employees who can ensure the accuracy of the work.

CEOs have also adjusted their hiring strategies. Bill Balderaz, CEO of Columbus -based Futurety consulting firm, told The Wall Street Journal that he decided not to hire a summer intern this year, choosing to use Chatgpt to create texts for social networks.

How generation Z is positioning itself

For generation Z that is entering the job market, the career game is changing. Just as investors resort to Treasury titles in times of economic uncertainty, many younger workers are seeking the safety of manual work and functions based on human connection, creativity and physical skills.

A recent survey with 1,000 Z Generation workers showed that 53% are leaning for qualified or licensed offices under construction, plumbing and electrical. For example, job installation jobs can pay up to six digits and do not require a university diploma. Then come professions focused on people, such as health, education and social work.