The rise of AI puts traditional entry-level roles under pressure, raising concerns that career ladders may no longer function as they once did. Industry leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, warn that AI could replace half of all entry-level jobs as machines operate nonstop.

A venture capital firm, SignalFire, found that hiring for graduates with under one year of experience at major tech firms fell by 50% between 2019 and 2024. The decline has been consistent across business functions, from sales and marketing to engineering and operations.

Analysts argue that while career pathways are being reshaped, the ladder's bottom rung is disappearing, forcing graduates to acquire skills independently before entering the workforce.

Experts stress that the shift does not mean careers are over for new graduates, but it does signal a more challenging transition. Universities are already adapting by striking partnerships with AI companies, while some economists point out that past technological revolutions took decades to reshape employment.

Yet others warn that unchecked AI could eventually threaten entry-level roles and all levels of work, raising questions about the future stability of corporate structures.