As companies send mixed signals about how AI will impact white-collar jobs, one thing is certain: entry-level jobs are facing the brunt of AI uncertainty—and the effects are being felt around the world.
A new report from the Irish Department of Finance found that AI’s impact on the labor market is concentrated most among young workers. About 63% of jobs in the country are “relatively exposed” to AI, but some industries, like tech and financial services, are already seeing the effects of AI adoption.
Young workers (ages 15 to 29) in the tech sector are experiencing one of highest rates of job stagnation in Ireland, with employment falling 20% between 2023 and 2025. During that same period, employment for “prime-age” workers (ages 30 to 59) grew by 12%, the study found.
The effects are most felt among younger workers in the financial, tech, information and communications sectors. Employment among 15-to 29-year-olds in ‘at risk’ sectors declined by 1%, between 2023 and 2025, even as employment continued to grow in these sectors overall.
The study found that between 2023 and 2025, high-AI risk sectors like financial services and tech experienced “significantly weaker employment growth,” of only 4%. Other “at risk” industries in the study include real estate, financial services, insurance, legal, accounting, defense, and retail. In comparison, low-risk sectors, such as construction or healthcare, experienced a 6.25% growth rate.
