AI Boom Is Reshaping South Korea’s Job Market, With Young Workers Taking the Hit

South Korea is seeing a decline in youth employment in industries that are highly exposed to artificial intelligence (AI). This has raised concerns that generative AI is reducing the number of entry-level jobs available to young workers.

Between June 2022 and June 2026, employment among people aged 15 to 29 fell by 285,000. About 94% of these lost jobs were in AI-exposed industries such as IT services, publishing, computer programming and professional services.

The biggest decline was in IT services, where youth employment fell by 31.4%. Publishing dropped by 27.4%, computer programming by 16.6%, and professional services by 11.6%. Many tasks usually given to young workers, such as research, coding and writing, can now be done or supported by AI.

Highly educated young workers have also experienced higher unemployment since 2022. However, the Bank of Korea said AI is not the only reason. South Korea’s shrinking youth population and other economic changes have also affected employment.

The central bank warned that AI may be making it harder for young people to get their first job and work experience. While AI can make young workers more productive, it can also replace some of their tasks, potentially weakening the traditional career path for new workers.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source:http://koreabizwire.com/ai-boom-is-reshaping-south-koreas-job-market-with-young-workers-taking-the-hit/357436

Comprehension

Why are young workers disappearing from some industries in South Korea?
How many youth jobs were lost between June 2022 and June 2026?
Which industry experienced the biggest decline in youth employment?
Why are highly educated young workers facing more unemployment?
What is the Bank of Korea's main concern about AI and young workers?

Discussion

Do you think AI will make it harder for young people to find their first job? Why?
What jobs do you think are most likely to be affected by AI?
What skills should young people develop to compete with AI?
Do you think AI creates more jobs than it destroys? Why or why not?
Would you prefer to work with AI or compete against AI? Why?
Should companies provide AI training for young workers?
How can universities prepare students for an AI-powered workplace?
What advice would you give to a young person looking for their first job?

Vocabulary

Entry-level – a job for someone who is new to a career.
Employment – having a job or work.
Expose – to be affected by or placed close to something.
Generative AI – AI that can create text, images, code, and other content.
Decline – a decrease or reduction.
Routine – something done regularly and often in the same way.
Productivity – how much work can be done in a certain amount of time.
Replace – to take the place of someone or something.
Career ladder – the stages of jobs and experience that help someone advance in a career.
Foothold – a first opportunity or position that helps someone move forward.