Ever since ChatGPT was released three years ago, there has been intense speculation around the impact of AI on the workforce. Some predicted it would end work for good, whilst others thought it would barely have an impact. Now, however, we have increasing evidence that AI has indeed changed the world of work – possibly forever.
Recent research has revealed that the number of UK entry-level jobs has plummeted by nearly a third since ChatGPT was launched, with a similar trend noted in the U.S. For young people looking to get a foot on the career ladder, AI seems to have made things harder than ever. And if this trend continues, businesses will have to grapple with a new question: How do you build a talent pipeline without those entry level roles?
So, what will the world of work look like as AI continues to advance? What do businesses need to do to adapt, and how do they make sure they’re still supporting younger workers?
Co-workers, not competitors
Despite these figures, many experts remain optimistic about AI. Hugh Scantlebury, CEO and Founder of Aqilla, argues that “the conversations around AI taking jobs, particularly removing the entry-level roles, are largely fear-mongering.”
Using the finance industry as an example, he explains: “Whilst AI may free graduates and newly qualified accountants from doing the manual data entry and reconciliations, a human expert is still required to review its output. In fact, I’d argue that we have an ethical responsibility to review, question and contextualise AI output – a skill that graduates should learn and practice from day one in their very first job.”
“AI is here to stay. It certainly has – and will definitely continue – to change how we work. This will inevitably change job roles and realign responsibilities. On balance, I believe this change will be for the better. For example, where a graduate may have previously spent 8 hours a day doing the monotonous, repetitive tasks, they can make better use of their training and apply it critically to assessing AI’s output. Those who would have previously spent their time reviewing the graduate’s work are now freed up to do more financial planning and business strategy development. It’s all about finding the optimal way for AI and humans to work harmoniously together – that’s the future!”
Volker Spanier, Head of Manufacturing Solutions at Epson EMEA, agrees that AI brings more benefits than negatives. He says that “with robotics advancing rapidly across manufacturing and technology, we are entering a new era where machines are no longer rigid, single-task tools. Instead, they are becoming flexible, reprogrammable partners – poised to reshape how we work.”
However, he stresses that “these robots should be seen not as replacements, but as collaborative robots (cobots): multi-functional companions that can be adapted, retrained, and redeployed.”
Spanier adds: “Cobots will complement employees, not replace them, taking on repetitive or hazardous roles so humans can focus on more creative and strategic activities. Rather than fearing robots, it’s important to recognise their potential for a more sustainable and prosperous future. Adopting robotics into production lines equipped with AI-infused automation workflows is one of the greatest catalysts for sustainable growth that businesses can make today.”
Avoiding a talent vacuum
However, it is clear that some businesses have been cutting entry level roles, and Paraic OLochlainn, Vice President, EMEA at Fluke Reliability, argues that this is “short-sighted and a strategic misstep.”
“AI and automation can accelerate workflows,” he says, “but they cannot replace human judgment, resilience, and adaptability that only emerge through experience. Entry-level positions are not just about skills; they are proving grounds for capability. Without them, organisations create a talent vacuum; discovering too late that when strategic expertise is needed, it simply isn’t there.”
“Without deliberate planning, both the next generation of workers and the future of businesses are at risk,” agrees Russell Attwood, CEO of Route 101. “The reality is that the bar for human talent is rising.
Tomorrow’s workers will need sharper analytical skills, stronger emotional intelligence, and the adaptability to tackle complex problems.
“Additionally, as entry-level roles vanish, organisations must step up with smarter onboarding, serious investment in skills, and a strategy for building a sustainable talent pipeline. This isn’t the death of the workforce, but it is an evolution. The winners will be those who can balance quick adaption with thoughtful strategies and long-term thinking.”
Russell Gammon, Chief Innovation Officer at Tax Systems, also believes that AI will change job roles rather than removing them all together. “We need to remember, AI actually works to benefit human productivity, rather than replace it,” he says. “It enables professionals to review and refine outputs rather than starting from scratch – allowing graduates to use their skills and knowledge gained in their education and apply it critically to data sets that AI has produced. Just because they won’t be spending hours inputting the data themselves doesn’t mean that their roles are obsolete. It simply reduces their workload and frees managers up from reviewing outputs to focus on higher value, strategic tasks.”
Developing a strategy
The consensus among the experts is clear: AI is here to stay, and its impact on entry-level roles is undeniable. However, this won’t be the end of the workforce, just another evolution. The key to making the change successful is to implement AI with strategy behind it, aiming to elevate job roles with AI rather than replacing them.
For young people, the path to employment may look different – but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. For organisations, the new challenge is to ensure they’re actively cultivating new talent rather than relying on the same old methods.
