Research Challenges Sam Altman's Job-Creation Claim as AI Squeezes Opportunities for Young Workers

The rapid expansion of AI has fueled global concerns about job displacement. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other technology leaders have previously expressed optimism that AI can create more jobs than it eliminates. The debate has become a central issue for academia and industry because it affects young people's entry into the workforce and the restructuring of industries.

However, the latest research published by Anthropic and Yale University in 2026 found that AI is reducing opportunities for people aged 22 to 25 to secure entry-level white-collar jobs. The data showed that nearly half of layoffs in the technology sector could be attributed to AI, with roles including programmers, customer service representatives and data-entry workers facing the highest risk of displacement.