AI impact on jobs study

A study by Ramp and Revelio Labs, published Tuesday, analyzed AI spending and workforce records of nearly 22,000 U.S. companies from January 2021 to February 2026. It found that firms spending heavily on AI increased headcount by an average of 10% over two years, with top adopters expanding entry-level hiring by 12%. Lead economist Ara Kharazian noted that AI-adopting firms are hiring more entry-level, AI-native workers. The findings contrast with a November 2025 Stanford University study showing a nearly 20% decline in young software developer employment since late 2022. Additionally, a United States — California AI-unemployment tracker revealed rising unemployment claims among college-educated and older workers in high-AI-exposed jobs, with claims concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area and tech sector. In 2026, tech companies have laid off over 160,000 workers, with Meta, Oracle, and Microsoft citing AI as a reason, though Kharazian suggests some layoffs may be 'AI washing'—blaming routine cost-cutting on AI.