AI-driven job market challenges for Gen Z

In late July, analysts highlighted how artificial intelligence was automating many entry‑level positions in the United States, prompting economists to warn that traditional university degrees were no longer a guarantee of employment. Commentators suggested that Gen Z should prioritize personal passions and develop skills less vulnerable to automation, noting that a sizable share of recent graduates were already working in jobs that did not require a college degree.

A week later, the focus shifted to Hong Kong, where youth unemployment had risen to around 11 % and entry‑level openings had fallen by more than half. Local officials and CEOs of major multinational firms urged graduates to cultivate curiosity, resilience, and trade skills that AI is less likely to replace. Policymakers also discussed subsidies and training pilots to help young workers transition into emerging sectors. Together, the snapshots illustrate a growing global concern that AI is reshaping the labour market for young people and that both advice and policy measures are being mobilised to address the mismatch between economic growth and youth employment opportunities.