Adecco Talks: Newcomers in an AI workforce

Automation is splitting the workforce and stalling the talent pipeline

Generative AI is creating an uneven job landscape: Seasoned professionals feel relatively safe about their prospects, while newcomers struggle to find their footing – even with a college degree.

Early-career workers in AI-heavy occupations have seen employment fall about 6% since late 2022, contrasted with a 6–8% rise for their older cohorts.

Tools like ChatGPT are now able to handle about 60% of the tasks that would have typically been handed off to junior staff, including:

• Drafting reports and documents
• Data entry and basic analysis
• Handling repetitive customer inquiries
• Scheduling and coordination

As a result, employers are increasingly expecting those entering the workforce to bring advanced technical and analytical skills. However, those entry-level jobs are typically where workers build critical skillsets, such as judgment, collaboration, and creativity.

Rethinking jobs beyond routine tasks

It’s no surprise then that nearly 50% of Gen Z job seekers believe AI reduced the value of their degree.

Automation may cut costs in the short term, but it can also weaken your organizational culture. AI adoption is mostly concentrated among senior leaders, so forward-thinking companies need to create opportunities at every level of their organization by:

• Widening access to AI tools
• Investing in training
• Redesigning jobs to amplify human strengths
• Keeping junior decision-making in the loop
• Rotating new employees into projects utilizing AI

Empowering the next generation of talent ensures both progress and innovation, so leaders need to start from the ground up to gain the perspective needed to spot obstacles and opportunities.

Revolutionizing staffing

As the workforce changes, your approach to staffing needs to as well. At Adecco, we’re building the future of work through key partnerships and technological developments, from automation through generative AI.

Last year, the Adecco Group, our parent company, announced a collaboration with Microsoft to launch a GenAI career platform. That’s in addition to strengthening our partnership with Salesforce to accelerate and widen the use of AI and data cloud technologies across our organization.

If you’re ready to hear more about transforming your approach to staffing, contact Adecco today, and let us help you get started.