AI to hit entry-level white-collar roles hardest: Jefferies report

Entry-level white-collar positions are likely to be the most affected by Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation, according to a recent report by Jefferies. The findings highlight growing employment concerns for new workforce entrants in the United States, particularly recent university graduates.Currently, the unemployment rate for recent US university graduates stands at 5.8 per cent- well above the national average of 4 per cent and more than double the 2.7 per cent rate recorded among all university graduates.“We believe AI’s most significant impact for investors will be through labour disruption, beginning with entry-level roles,” said Jefferies, as quoted by ANI.The report claimed that that individuals entering the workforce are encountering greater employment challenges compared to other demographic groups.Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, cited in the report, projected that AI could replace as much as half of entry-level white-collar jobs within one to five years. Amodei also warned that this trend could lead to a sharp rise in unemployment, potentially reaching between 10 per cent and 20 per cent.Sales, customer support, software development and marketing were identified as particularly vulnerable sectors, with junior-level staff forming a significant share of the workforce in these areas.The report also noted that a degree in technology no longer assures job security. Unemployment rates among recent graduates in Computer Engineering and Computer Science have reached 7.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.AI’s growing presence is evident across industries. Jefferies’ research shows that out of 419 US companies that discussed AI in their earnings calls since 2021, 40 per cent came from non-tech sectors such as retail, finance and healthcare.Industry leaders present differing views on the impact of AI adoption. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna reported a net increase in employment following AI integration. In contrast, Klarna’s CEO admitted that AI-led staff reductions compromised customer service quality, potentially requiring the company to rehire in the future.The Jefferies analysis positions AI as both a transformative opportunity and a serious challenge. While AI may drive efficiency and growth, it also raises significant concerns for early-career professionals.The report also stressed on the need for a coordinated response from corporations, governments and educational institutions to promote skill development and support workplace transitions in the AI era.