AI Threatens Entry-Level Jobs, But Human Skills Offer a Path Forward, Expert Says
As artificial intelligence automates tasks, uniquely human skills like judgment, creativity, and adaptability are becoming crucial for career success, according to a University of Michigan professor.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the landscape of white-collar work, leading to growing concerns about job displacement, particularly in entry-level positions. However, one expert suggests that uniquely human skills will provide workers with a significant advantage in the evolving job market.
Jeff DeGraff, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business specializing in innovation and the future of work, identified mathematics, data analysis, and supply chain management as areas highly vulnerable to automation. AI can perform these tasks with greater speed and efficiency than humans, a trend that is expected to continue.
"I think there's kind of three levels to AI, and the first level is just efficiency and effectiveness, and those are typically entry-level jobs - that's the first step in the staircase for young people," DeGraff stated, noting that younger workers are disproportionately affected by this shift. "So young people have really taken the biggest hit around the concept of how are we going to sort of move up the ladder here with our skills."
This transformation is evident in how both individuals and companies are utilizing AI. A 2025 YouGov poll indicated that 58 percent of American AI users rely on it for fact-finding. Concurrently, companies are integrating AI into their core operations. Cloudflare, for instance, recently reduced its workforce by 1,100 employees, citing an increased reliance on AI. An internal memo revealed that employee AI usage surged over 600 percent in three months.
DeGraff advocates for developing skills that complement AI rather than competing with it directly on speed or volume. He emphasizes that as workers navigate increasing volumes of AI-generated information, the ability to evaluate competing answers, discern significance, and make sound decisions becomes paramount.
"We're entering an age where answers are cheap, but judgment is priceless," DeGraff commented. He envisions a future where complex reports that once took weeks and substantial financial investment can be generated in hours, leaving professionals to contend with multiple AI-produced versions. "An adaptive mindset is going to be required to work through the complexity," he added. "If you think there's an answer, good luck - there are five more."
This process, which DeGraff terms 'sense-making,' involves transforming disorganized and conflicting information into meaningful insights and decisions. Humans will retain responsibility for posing the right questions, weighing alternatives, and determining actions, rather than solely relying on AI.
Creativity is another area where DeGraff sees a distinct human advantage. While AI excels at optimization and improving existing systems, it struggles to produce novel breakthroughs or entirely new concepts. Leadership, too, remains a critical human skill, enabling organizations to set priorities, manage uncertainty, and guide strategic decisions.
Despite the University of Michigan's efforts to prepare students for the future of work, DeGraff believes educational institutions are lagging behind the rapid advancements in AI, estimating a decade-long gap. He suggests that this disruption could foster a "renaissance" for younger generations, where automation removes routine tasks, thus elevating the value of human imagination, judgment, and meaning.
DeGraff likens AI to a creative partner, similar to George Martin's role with The Beatles, enabling individuals and small teams to innovate and build companies that previously required large workforces. "You're starting to see billion-dollar companies that are one or two people," he noted.
Evidence of this trend is emerging in small businesses, where 58 percent are reportedly using generative AI. The US Chamber of Commerce found that 82 percent of these businesses expanded their workforce between 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, 77 percent believe that restrictions on AI would negatively impact their growth and operations.
DeGraff also observes a shift in how young people engage with the professional world, moving away from traditional corporate structures towards what he calls "federations of meaning" – flexible networks based on shared interests. "I think you're actually leading where you feel like you're locked out and you're behind," he said. "You're not, you're in front."