Stanford Study: AI Hits 22-25 Year Olds Hardest, Higher Education Buffers Impact

Summary

A Stanford Digital Economy Lab study using ADP high-frequency payroll data finds that generative AI hits entry-level workers hardest, with 22-25 year olds in high-impact occupations experiencing an employment gap of about 19%, while senior workers remain stable or even improve. The study attributes this to codified knowledge in entry-level roles, which AI can easily replace, and suggests higher education can buffer the impact.