AI Boom Widens Employment Gap for Young Software Developers
Since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022, employment among software developers aged 22-25 has fallen 23%, while those aged 41-49 saw an 18% increase, creating a 41 percentage point gap.
The AI boom is reshaping the software job market by age. Data show that employment for software developers aged 22-25 has dropped 23% since November 2022, when ChatGPT was introduced. In contrast, developers aged 41-49 experienced an 18% rise over the same period, resulting in a 41 percentage point divide between the youngest and most experienced groups.
Early-career workers in AI-exposed roles have seen a 16% employment decline relative to less-exposed occupations and more experienced peers, even after adjusting for firm-specific shocks. Meanwhile, employment in less AI-exposed fields and among senior workers has remained stable or grown.
The sharp divergence highlights how AI is eliminating entry-level tech positions while benefiting veteran developers, signaling a structural shift in the labor market.
Source: The Kobeissi Letter