Some CEOs, including Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and Ford’s Jim Farley, have even used their platforms to warn AI and automation pose existential threats to many entry-level roles.
But while there are signs the rest of 2026 could bring further turbulence, not every executive message has been a bleak one. As AMD CEO Lisa Su put it: “Run towards the hardest problems—not walk, run—and that’s where you find the biggest opportunities, where you learn the most, where you set yourself apart, and most importantly, where you grow.”
For the millions of Gen Z NEETs and job huggers looking to land a new job or promotion, the takeaway is clear: Embrace challenges, stay curious, take ownership of your career, and remain adaptable—and you’ll be positioned to thrive even in an unpredictable job market.
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet: Curiosity is a leadership advantage
Julie Sweet never expected to become CEO of Accenture. She didn’t fit the traditional mold of the firm’s past leaders, many of whom came from conventional business backgrounds, spent their entire careers at the company, and were men.
