There’s often a buzz of anxiety when it comes to AI and entry-level jobs, but the rise of artificial intelligence might actually offer a bright path for young professionals. Garrett Lord, CEO of Handshake—a prominent job search and AI training platform—recently explained on ‘Lenny’s Podcast’ that today’s graduates are naturally adept with AI, calling them ‘AI native’. His analogy was vivid: knowing how to use AI is like strapping on an Iron Man suit, helping young workers go beyond traditional expectations.
Contrary to the doomsayers, businesses from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies report thriving workplaces rather than looming job cuts. As Lord put it, the dire predictions that all junior roles will vanish don’t line up with what employers are experiencing. In dynamic fields such as social media marketing, today’s young professionals can manage tasks that used to require entire teams—even without a data science degree in hand.
While the introduction of AI calls for a shift in job roles and additional reskilling, its main impact is to enhance productivity and foster greater impact at work. Lord’s confidence is echoed by other leaders too. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, remarked that if he were a fresh graduate today, he’d feel incredibly fortunate to be stepping into an AI-empowered career. Likewise, LinkedIn cofounder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman advises young job seekers to make their AI fluency a standout asset on their CVs.
Of course, not everyone is equally optimistic. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warned that AI could eliminate up to half of entry-level white-collar roles in the near future—a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Yet, amid these concerns, the prospect for young professionals to excel in an AI-enhanced job market remains an inspiring narrative.
