This weekly update reveals that AI is already starting to impact jobs across multiple industries, with early warning signs appearing in employment data. The most concerning trend is rising unemployment among college graduates, which reached 5.8% in March - the highest in over four years. This is unusual because educated workers typically have lower unemployment rates than the general population.

Several specific industries are showing clear signs of AI-related job slowdowns. Marketing consulting, graphic design, office administration, and telephone call centers have all seen employment growth fall below normal levels. The technology sector has been hit particularly hard, with employment in computer systems design, software publishing, and web search companies slowing down significantly.

A major story this week involved a CEO who laid off nearly 80% of his workforce after employees actively resisted AI adoption. Surprisingly, it was often the technical staff, not marketing or sales teams, who opposed the new technology. This reflects broader research showing that one in three workers have actively sabotaged their company's AI rollout, with the number jumping to 41% among younger employees.

Experts remain divided on AI's long-term impact. Goldman Sachs economists predict that only 6-7% of the US workforce could be displaced if AI is widely adopted, and they expect these job disruptions to be temporary. However, other experts like Anthropic's CEO warn that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. The World Economic Forum previously predicted that 85 million jobs would be displaced by 2025, while 97 million new ones would be created.

Companies are taking a wait-and-see approach with many implementing hiring freezes for entry-level positions while they experiment with AI tools. Major tech companies like Microsoft and Salesforce have already announced layoffs partly due to AI efficiencies, while others like Meta continue hiring AI specialists. This creates a complex picture where AI is both destroying and creating jobs simultaneously.