The Impact of AI on Junior IT Roles

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the job market, particularly for technology professionals. Entry-level positions in IT are among the hardest hit, making it increasingly difficult for newcomers to break into the field.

According to a study from Stanford University, which analyzed U.S. data over the past three years, the employment rate in roles most affected by AI has dropped by 13%. This includes jobs like administrative assistants, accountants, developers, and IT technicians. The Washington Post supports this, reporting that a quarter of programming jobs have vanished in the last two years, based on official employment data. These are often basic, gateway roles that serve as a starting point for careers in tech.

Despite these challenges, the overall labor market has remained stable for more experienced workers. Stanford's research suggests that AI is not just enhancing efficiency but is actually taking over automatable tasks, leading to job displacement rather than augmentation.

Major tech companies have initiated significant layoffs, with AI playing a key role. For instance, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that 30% of Microsoft's code is now AI-generated, highlighting the shift towards automation.

Use for Work Support

Paradoxically, many professionals use AI to support their work rather than replace it entirely. A survey shows that 57% of teams leverage AI for tasks like reviewing work, learning, or repetition, emphasizing augmentation over automation. Alex Tamkin, a researcher at Anthropic, notes this trend in discussions with The Washington Post.

However, some analyses indicate that AI can slow down human work in software development, contrary to the perception of increased speed. METR, an AI evaluation firm, found that developers expect a 24% speed boost from AI but only perceive a 20% increase after use, pointing to a gap between expectation and reality.