Is AI putting graduates out of work already?

Date: May 13, 2026
Source: The Economist
URL: https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/13/is-ai-putting-graduates-out-of-work-already

Key Findings

Chart shows relationship between AI exposure by field and employment changes for US university graduates (2022-24, surveyed 6 months after graduation):

  • Fields with highest AI exposure (Information sciences, Computer science): 10-15 percentage point drops in full-time employment
  • Finance, Accounting: Moderate declines (around 5 points) despite moderate AI exposure
  • Civil engineering, Electrical engineering, Communications: Declining despite lower-to-moderate AI exposure
  • Psychology, Philosophy: Slight increases despite some AI exposure

Clear negative correlation between AI exposure and employment outcomes for recent graduates.

Chart

AI Graduate Employment

Chart data from Anthropic and National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Tags

#ai-impact #employment #graduates #labor-market #economist