AI Jobs: Tribal Tales vs. Hard Data
The impact of AI on the labor market and the demand for recent graduates is evident in detailed job posting data.
In the white paper, some things you’ll learn:
So far, the data on job postings doesn’t show that AI jobs are shrinking the overall job demand in the U.S.
Same story for new grads: there’s no actual evidence that AI is “killing” entry-level hiring.
In fact, entry-level postings were 532,475 in Q4 2025, up 63% from 326,076 in Q1 2018—even with today’s cautious hiring.
Looking across industries, more AI jobs intensity doesn’t line up with fewer postings. There’s a tendency for industries with greater AI investment to hire more recent graduates.
# of ALL job postings continues to decline slowly. Even as the demand for technically-skilled AI labor continues to explode, the # of ALL job postings shows only a slow decline, reflecting both a low-hire-low-fire scenario as well as concerns about a possible economic slowdown triggered by higher tariffs, rather than any AI effect.
Overheating during 2020/Q2-2022/Q1. Job postings across all types peaked in 2022/Q1 at 6,988,023. This was the same quarter when, pre-ChatGPT, # of AI job postings peaked at 34,272. Two major factors drove the overheating: (a) rapid reopening after recovery from the pandemic, and (b) the massive fiscal stimulus of 2021.
Cooling off after the over-hiring. After the over-hiring binge, employers began the path to normalization by slowing the pace of new hiring. This normalization happened across all industry sectors and all types of jobs, including AI jobs.
Continue Reading "Tribal Tales vs. Hard Data"
Read the full 16-page white paper to learn the real impact of AI on labor market demand.
Download NowAI Jobs Growth in the U.S.
If you're interested in tracking AI job postings every month, go to www.aimaps.ai. This is in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Outrigger Group.
Research driven by academic institutions
-
UMD & LinkUp
AI Jobs: Tribal Tales vs. Hard Data
Apr. 23, 2026
View Article- Academic research
-
Elon University, Strome College of Business, University of Cambridge Judge Business School, and Williamson College of Business
Strategic technology talent acquisition and firm value: A cross‐industry examination
Jan. 14, 2026
View Article- Academic research
-
University of Liechtenstein
Future-ready technologies for Switzerland: Trend insights from job postings analysis
Mar. 17, 2025
View Article- Academic research
Stay Informed: Subscribe to monthly job market insights delivered right to your inbox.
Thank you for your message!
The LinkUp team will be in touch shortly.
