Hey everyone, Mateo here!
So, we’ve all seen the headlines. AI is getting smarter, faster, and it’s starting to do jobs that used to be done by humans. I’m talking about those entry-level positions – the ones where many of us get our first real taste of the working world. Think data entry, customer service, maybe even some basic coding tasks. Places that were once stepping stones are looking like they might be shrinking, or even disappearing, thanks to automation.
It’s easy to get a bit worried about this. What does it mean for the folks just starting out, like many of you in Gen Z and young millennials? If the traditional pathways are closing, where do we go?
Let’s be real, a lot of these entry-level roles involve repetitive tasks. Things that AI, with its lightning-fast processing and lack of coffee breaks, can do pretty efficiently. A report from Stanford back in 2025 even highlighted this squeeze, suggesting fewer jobs for new grads in certain sectors.
But here’s the catch: it’s not necessarily all doom and gloom. Sometimes, when one door closes, another one opens, right? Or maybe we just build our own door.
This is where the idea of entrepreneurship by default starts to creep in. If you can’t easily find a traditional job doing X, maybe you have to figure out how to do X yourself, or better yet, how to do Y, Z, or something entirely new.
Think about it. The same AI that’s automating tasks can also be a powerful tool for someone wanting to start their own thing. Need to design a logo? AI can help. Want to write marketing copy? AI’s got your back. Need to analyze market trends? You guessed it, AI can give you a serious head start.
I’ve seen it firsthand in the tech community and my own projects. People are using AI tools to build apps, create content, and even offer services that just weren’t feasible before. It lowers the barrier to entry for creating something unique and valuable. Instead of needing a huge team or massive capital to get started, you can leverage these powerful AI tools to be more nimble and innovative.
So, will the next generation be forced into entrepreneurship? Maybe not forced, but it’s definitely becoming a more attractive, perhaps even necessary, alternative. It’s about adapting to a changing landscape and seeing AI not just as a competitor, but as a collaborator. It’s about leveraging these new technologies to build your own path, rather than waiting for one to appear.
It’s a big shift, and it’s going to require a different skillset. We’re talking about creativity, problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to learn and adapt quickly. These are skills that AI can augment, but not replace.
What do you guys think? Is entrepreneurship the inevitable next step for young people entering the workforce? Let me know in the comments!
- Mateo