Industry leaders pause entry-level hiring as AI reshapes workforce
At Digiday Media’s AI Marketing Strategies event on Sept. 24, industry leaders said they have paused hiring entry-level talent, citing AI’s takeover of tasks once handled by workers aged 18-34. They also noted that a Pew Research survey found workers aged 18-34 are more concerned about AI‑related job loss than older cohorts.
Executives explained that AI tools now perform many of the routine duties that previously fell to recent college graduates, such as data entry, basic ad‑trafficking and preliminary analytics. One participant, the owner of a small‑to‑mid‑sized performance marketing agency, said the firm used to hire entry‑level talent exclusively and that many of those hires became top performers. Another attendee warned that cutting graduate hiring is short‑sighted because agencies will lose institutional knowledge when senior staff retire, and urged companies to redesign junior roles rather than eliminate them. The group agreed on solutions that include formal mentorship programs, AI‑training courses for current employees, and internships that pay livable wages to attract and develop new talent.
“We haven’t hired college-level grads in some time, and I don’t anticipate that we will be,” Owner of a small-to-mid-sized performance marketing agency said.
The discussion took place under Chatham House Rules, which granted participants anonymity to speak candidly about workforce trends. Prior to the event, executives across advertising and marketing had already linked rapid AI adoption to a growing talent crisis, noting inconsistencies in how the technology is being applied.
What we know
According to a Pew Research survey, people aged 18-34 in many countries are more worried about AI-related job loss than older adults.
Digiday Media’s AI Marketing Strategies event was hosted on Sept. 24.
One participant, the owner of a small-to-mid-sized performance marketing agency, said they haven’t hired college-level grads in some time and don’t anticipate doing so.