OTTAWA — When Jacqueline Silver graduated from McGill University with a degree in computer science, she thought a job in tech was guaranteed. Instead, she spent over a year applying for hundreds of positions before finally landing her first role — a reality she describes as “exhausting and demoralizing.”
Silver’s experience is becoming increasingly common among young Canadians, as artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, particularly for early-career workers once considered “future-proof.”
A recent Stanford University study found that workers aged 22 to 25 in AI-exposed industries — such as software development, marketing, and customer service — have seen a decline in employment, while more experienced workers and those in less automated fields continue to thrive.
“AI will create a bunch of jobs and opportunities, but it will also impact a bunch of others,” said Hamoon Ekhtiari, CEO of Toronto-based FutureFit AI, which helps people transition into new careers. “The reality is very complex.”
Ekhtiari said the hardest-hit roles are often junior positions, traditionally designed for graduates to gain experience. Tools like ChatGPT can now handle tasks such as writing code, drafting marketing copy, or managing customer queries — functions once performed by entry-level employees.
Silver agreed. “Maybe you still need someone to tweak it or look at it closely,” she said, “but overall, you don’t really need that many people to write it anymore because the AI can do it.”
Experts warn this trend could hollow out the career ladder, making it harder for young workers to get their first break. Catherine Connelly, a professor of human resources and management at McMaster University, noted that while AI can handle repetitive tasks, it cannot replace human judgment in strategy or decision-making. “The danger is that people won’t get those early opportunities to learn,” she said.
According to Statistics Canada, unemployment among Canadians aged 15 to 24 hit 14.7 per cent in September — the highest level outside the pandemic years.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis called it a “deepening youth unemployment crisis,” warning it could derail the long-term career prospects of an entire generation. He criticized the federal government for lacking a comprehensive plan and proposed Conservative measures to boost training and expand worker housing initiatives.
Responding to criticism, Jennifer Kozelj, spokesperson for Employment Minister Patty Hajdu, said the government recognizes the urgency of the issue. “The world of work is changing fast, and workers — particularly young Canadians — are feeling it,” she said. “We are acting with urgency to harness this tool, build on productivity, and ensure no worker gets left behind.”
For Silver and many of her peers, however, the future feels uncertain. The traditional promise — go to school, work hard, and secure a stable career — is fading in the age of automation. As Ekhtiari put it bluntly: “That promise no longer holds.”