How AI is changing early careers: A view from entry-level workers

PwC is working in collaboration with the World Economic Forum to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping entry-level jobs and early career pathways around the world.

Launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, this executive briefing brings the voice of entry-level workers into a global debate on AI. Insights draw on the World Economic Forum’s Global Dialogue on AI and Entry-Level Work, convening 200+ leaders and experts, and PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey 2025 of 9,394 entry-level employees across 48 major economies.

Key insights from the briefing include:

• Entry-level workers are more curious (47%) and excited (38%) than worried (29%) about the impact of AI on their work
• Gaps are emerging between business leaders’ expectations and workers’ confidence when it comes to job security over the next 3 years
• Entry-level workers are learning fast, yet many doubt how long their current skills will remain relevant. Just over 1 in 4 entry-level workers believe that half or fewer of their current skills will still be relevant in 3 years.
• AI adoption is much lower among older entry-level cohorts, highlighting the need for inclusive reskilling

What’s next?

This briefing is part of a broader programme led by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society, in collaboration with PwC, exploring how AI is reshaping early careers. It will be followed by a full global report launching in June, providing wider market analysis, actionable recommendations and case studies to help organisations, education leaders and policymakers navigate these shifts.

If you would like to learn more about how PwC is working with organisations to future-proof early careers and ensure access to the right skills in an AI-enabled world, please get in touch with the team.