AI lets companies grow without hiring young workers says Sunak
Rishi Sunak has warned that artificial intelligence is flattening recruitment for young people into entry-level jobs. The former prime minister, now a government AI adviser, said firms in sectors such as law, accountancy and creative industries are expanding through AI without adding junior staff. Company bosses agree. They report achieving growth while keeping headcounts flat, as AI handles tasks once done by new hires. Sunak called for policy responses, including scrapping National Insurance contributions for employers to boost youth hiring.
Entry-level roles once went to graduates based on degrees alone, with firms hiring juniors for routine work in law, finance and media to build pipelines. National Insurance and other costs made headcount growth straightforward, even amid economic pressures. AI now absorbs those routine tasks, letting companies scale without the expense of new starters. This shift forces employers to seek graduates who already signal AI proficiency, making portfolios of practical ChatGPT use a new entry ticket in a market where only 17 percent of postings target beginners.
Analysis
Forget blanket applications that vanish into ATS black holes—this Sunak alert screams that bosses want degree-holders who direct AI, not just hold a scroll. Build one portfolio piece today: prompt ChatGPT to analyse public data from your field like market trends or legal case summaries, screenshot the process and results, then post it on LinkedIn tagged with job keywords to trigger recruiter views.
Citation
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