We’re running an experiment in real time, and the Class of 2025 is at the center of it.

No control group. No ability to rewind. Just millions of young adults stepping into a workforce that looks nothing like the one we prepared them for—and one that may never look the same again.

In this episode of Generation AI, JC and I unpack what it means to graduate in the age of AI. We dig into recent reports from CBS News and SignalFire, talk through some pretty bold predictions from AI leaders, and wrestle with the uncomfortable truth that entry-level jobs—the traditional launching pad for college grads—are disappearing.

A Broken Promise

For decades, the deal was simple: go to college, get a degree, land a job. But today, recent grads face higher unemployment than the national average for the first time in 45 years. 

That’s not just a stat—it’s a flashing red light. Something’s broken.

Entry-level, white-collar jobs—once the springboard for college grads—are being automated or eliminated. Employers want “entry-level” candidates with 3–5 years of experience. It’s a Catch-22 for those already burdened by student debt.

And let’s be honest: AI is filling the roles we used to give to people just starting out.

New Grads vs. Auto-Complete

One of the most striking ideas that surfaced in our conversation was this: AI is the new “auto-complete.” It’s handling the tasks junior hires used to cut their teeth on—only faster, cheaper, and at scale.

That doesn’t mean we don’t need people. It means we need different people. People who are AI-native. People who can think critically, learn continuously, and use these tools to amplify—not replace—their own thinking.

The Value of Higher Ed in an AI World

So, where does this leave higher education?

JC and I both come from this world. We believe in its potential to transform lives. But we can’t ignore that the model is under pressure. Rising tuition, outdated curricula, and a slow response to market demands have created a growing disconnect between degrees and jobs.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Universities still have a superpower: they teach people how to think. And in an AI-powered world, critical thinking is more valuable than ever. But institutions need to move faster. Students need more than theory—they need exposure to tools, projects, and problems that reflect the real world they’re about to enter.

Practical Advice for the Class of 2025

Here’s what I’d tell a new grad:

• Double down on your AI fluency. Learn the tools. Use them daily. Show how you work 10x faster, not just smarter.
• Skip the line. Fortune 500s may not be hiring. Startups are. Or better yet, build your own.
• Embrace controlled chaos. Career paths aren’t linear anymore. Flexibility and adaptability are the new job security.
• Find the gaps. Look for human+AI opportunities—roles where your creativity and the machine’s speed can team up.
• Ask smart questions. When you’re interviewing, ask how the company is using AI. If the answer is vague or defensive, that’s a red flag.

The Stakes Are Real

What keeps me up at night is the thought that we could be creating not just a “lost generation,” but a misaligned one—brilliant, hardworking, and completely unprepared for the new rules of work.

Or we could help launch the most agile, AI-empowered, impact-driven generation yet.

The outcome depends on what we do next.

To the students, the educators, the employers, the policymakers, and the parents: this isn’t someone else’s problem. We’re all part of this grand experiment. And we have a say in how it turns out.

Because the future of work is being written now, and everyone has a pen.

🎧 Listen to Episode 79 of Generation AI.