According to the BBC, as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly widespread, university graduates in China are facing greater employment pressure. The number of university graduates is expected to reach a record 12.7 million in 2026. Including previous graduates who have not found jobs and overseas returnees, the total number of job seekers is estimated to exceed 15 million. However, the job market has not expanded at the same pace, while the adoption of AI is further changing companies’ recruitment practices.
Many companies now require job applicants to have AI-related skills. A media studies student said employers frequently mention the goal of “reducing costs and increasing efficiency”, with basic tasks such as administrative work, data processing, and content creation increasingly being replaced by AI.
Some business leaders said new generations of AI tools can now perform many tasks previously handled by interns, leading some companies to stop hiring fresh graduates this year. However, roles requiring extensive experimentation and professional judgement, such as pharmaceutical research and development, remain more difficult for AI to replace.
Research shows that AI is mainly affecting white-collar and highly educated positions. Women may face greater impacts because they are more concentrated in fields such as administration, clerical work, and professional services, where AI adoption is advancing more rapidly.
Scholars believe that while AI may reduce some entry-level positions, it also creates new opportunities. In the future, companies are likely to place greater emphasis on employees who can combine AI tools with professional knowledge and creativity. Young people will also need to strengthen their problem-solving skills to adapt to the changing job market.
Commentary:
The rapid development of AI is clearly changing the way companies recruit employees. In the past, many entry-level positions and internships served as important starting points for young people to gain experience and understand the workplace. However, as these repetitive tasks are increasingly automated, the barrier for young people entering the workforce may become higher.
AI is not simply about “taking away jobs”; more importantly, it is changing what employers expect from workers. Future job markets will require not only people who can complete instructions, but also those who can use AI effectively, apply analytical skills, think creatively, and solve problems.
At the same time, governments, universities, and businesses need to rethink how talent is developed. If education remains focused only on traditional knowledge transfer and fails to build students’ cross-disciplinary abilities and AI skills, the gap between graduates and market demands may continue to widen.