AI drives gender gaps and reduces entry-level employment

Recent studies highlight significant structural shifts in the labor market driven by generative artificial intelligence, specifically regarding gender inequality and youth employment.

A LinkedIn study titled ‘The Triple Penalty: Mapping the Gender Gap in the AI Economy’ reveals a widening gap for women across 27 countries. Women face a triple disadvantage: they are underrepresented in leadership committees, less present in AI-specific roles, and less likely to work for companies specializing in AI. Consequently, women hold only 13% of AI-related leadership positions within AI firms. The disparity is evident from entry-level stages, where women occupy 29% of junior AI roles compared to 48% in other sectors.

Simultaneously, research from Stanford University indicates that AI is impacting entry-level career opportunities. In the United States, employment for developers aged 22–25 has decreased by 20% since late 2022, while senior roles have grown. This trend is mirrored in France, where youth unemployment is projected to reach 21.6% in 2026. The automation of standardized tasks—such as basic coding, research, and synthesis—favors experienced workers who possess tacit knowledge and contextual intuition, while reducing the demand for junior staff in sectors like finance, insurance, and consulting.