#YouthEmployment

A seismic shift is quietly reshaping the global technology labor market, with Thailand’s ambitious digital transformation goals colliding headfirst with an artificial intelligence revolution that’s already eliminating entry-level opportunities for young professionals. Goldman Sachs economists have documented the first measurable impacts of generative AI on employment patterns, revealing that workers under 30 in technology fields are experiencing unprecedented displacement as companies discover they can automate tasks previously requiring human expertise. This trend arrives at a particularly challenging moment for Thailand, where government initiatives to build a digital economy depend heavily on cultivating local tech talent just as those pathways become increasingly automated.

A rapid AI-driven shift is reshaping the global tech job market, and Thailand stands at a critical crossroads. New research highlights how generative AI is reshaping entry-level opportunities for young professionals, prompting questions about how Thailand’s digital economy goals will adapt. Government plans to cultivate local tech talent face the reality of automation accelerating beyond traditional hiring patterns, underscoring the need for new pathways that align with Thai workforce realities.

The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is already beginning to shift the landscape of the global labor market, with young technology workers experiencing the first tangible impacts, according to the latest analysis from Goldman Sachs economists. While sweeping workforce changes have yet to occur, new research and employment data suggest that AI is quietly, but unmistakably, starting to reshape hiring practices and job security—particularly among early-career employees in the tech sector (CNBC).

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces around the globe is reshaping the job market for recent graduates, raising concerns among students, educators, and policymakers alike. While some had hoped AI would open new fields and boost productivity, mounting evidence suggests it is rapidly limiting traditional entry-level opportunities for graduates, particularly in white-collar roles, and is sparking a growing debate over the future of work for the next generation (FT.com, WSJ, Business Report).

A global shift toward automation and AI is reshaping entry-level opportunities for new graduates. While technology promises higher productivity, it also redefines roles, especially in white-collar fields. For Thai readers, universities and policymakers face a critical question: how to prepare students for an AI-enabled economy.

Research shows AI is increasingly used to automate routine tasks, data synthesis, and basic content creation. In practice, many entry-level roles are being redesigned or replaced, prompting employers to adjust hiring priorities. Recruiters report slower demand for junior staff in sectors that once relied on fresh graduates, as AI handles tasks previously done by new hires. This trend spans multiple countries and industries.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is transforming career paths for computer science graduates. Many recent degree holders now confront a market that promises opportunity but delivers disruption. Global data and expert analysis show AI adoption is automating coding and routine white-collar tasks, reshaping entry-level tech roles and highlighting the need for adaptive skills among Thailand’s aspiring technologists.

For nearly two decades, a computer science degree from leading universities was widely viewed as a fast track to a lucrative tech career. In the United States, graduation in computer science rose sharply from 2005 to 2023, and similar enthusiasm spread across Thailand’s universities as the “Thailand 4.0” digital economy push gained momentum. Today, however, major tech firms report that AI tools can generate substantial portions of code, altering the demand for junior programmers and widening the gap between classroom skills and employer needs. Research by industry analysts indicates this shift is already affecting hiring patterns in global firms with Bangkok offices and outsourcing partners.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is upending traditional career pathways for computer science graduates, with many recent degree holders finding themselves left out of a job market they were once promised would be future-proof. Data from major tech hubs and expert analysis indicate that AI’s swift adoption — especially in coding and routine white-collar roles — is fundamentally transforming the opportunities for new entrants in the technology sector, leading to historic increases in unemployment among educated youth. For Thai students and families investing heavily in STEM education, these developments offer both caution and critical lessons for adapting to the future of work.

A new 2024 survey is sparking debate in hiring practices worldwide, with findings suggesting that nearly half of Gen Z job seekers admit to lying or strongly considering lying on applications. The conversation signals a shift in how young candidates present themselves, and it raises questions about trust, verification, and workplace culture in Thailand as Gen Z enters the workforce.

Data from the survey shows a substantial generational gap. Roughly 44% to 56% of Gen Z respondents reported lying or contemplating lying during the hiring process, while Baby Boomers reported lower rates around 37%. Millennials and Gen X fell in between, indicating a broad discrepancy in attitudes toward honesty in applications. In Thailand, where Gen Z is increasingly filling professional roles, these patterns invite careful examination of recruitment practices and student preparation.

A new survey has caused ripples in the world of human resources, revealing that nearly half of Generation Z job seekers admit to lying on their job applications—a trend that marks a significant shift from previous generations and raises pressing questions for educators, employers, and policymakers both in Thailand and worldwide (Fox News; AOL).

The findings, derived from a fresh survey conducted in 2024, indicate that as much as 44% to 56% of Gen Z respondents confessed to either having lied or strongly considered lying during the hiring process (Resume Genius). Comparatively, only 37% of Baby Boomers admitted similar behavior, highlighting a widening generational gap in attitudes towards job application honesty. Millennials and Gen X also registered lower, at 50% and 40% respectively (Benefit News). This generational divergence has implications for trust, vetting procedures, and workplace culture that are now being debated across societies—including in Thailand, where Gen Z is rapidly ascending into the professional landscape.