Remote workers began returning to the office in droves in early 2024, with major companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon implementing stricter in-person work policies.
Key findings: A new survey from Hult International Business School reveals that 37% of employers would prefer to hire AI robots over recent Gen Z graduates.
- The study surveyed 1,600 employers and full-time employees
- 96% of employers believe college education isn’t adequately preparing students for jobs
- 89% of employers actively avoid hiring recent graduates
- 98% of organizations report struggling to find talent
Employer concerns: Companies cite specific issues with hiring recent graduates, pointing to a growing disconnect between academic preparation and workplace requirements.
- 60% of employers say recent graduates lack real-world experience
- 55% report that new graduates struggle with teamwork
- The majority of recent graduates (77%) learned more in six months on the job than during their four-year education
- 94% of recent graduates express regrets about their degree choice
Expert perspectives: Industry leaders and consultants offer diverse views on the growing preference for AI over human workers.
- HR consultant Bryan Driscoll argues this trend reflects employers avoiding responsibility for training and development
- Finance expert Kevin Thompson points to the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of AI compared to human workers
- Academic instructor Alex Beene notes that Gen Z’s entry into an “employee’s market” has shaped their workplace expectations
Workforce implications: The shift toward AI preference over human workers raises significant concerns about the future of employment and economic equality.
- Companies’ reduced investment in training programs has created a skills gap
- The trend could lead to wage stagnation and increased economic inequality
- Recent graduates may need to find alternative ways to gain experience before entering the workforce
- Traditional on-the-job training opportunities are likely to decrease
Future workforce dynamics: The growing preference for AI over human workers signals a fundamental shift in hiring practices and employee development, potentially requiring new graduates to arrive with more practical skills and experience while raising questions about the long-term societal impact of prioritizing automation over human capital development.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...