Amid the wave of "AI replacing entry-level positions," IBM is significantly expanding its entry-level workforce in the U.S. against the trend

IT House February 13 News, according to Bloomberg today, IBM stated that although AI is reducing demand for entry-level positions, the company still plans to double its entry-level hiring in the United States by 2026.

IBM did not disclose specific numbers, only saying that this expansion will cover multiple departments. IBM Chief Human Resources Officer Nickle LaMoreaux said at a conference in New York, “Yes, including those roles that outside opinions believe AI can handle.”

LaMoreaux revealed that to support this hiring plan, the company has redesigned entry-level roles such as software development. LaMoreaux stated, “Entry-level jobs from two or three years ago can now be handled by AI. If we want to convince business units to continue investing in young talent, we must demonstrate that they can now create value different from the past.”

Therefore, the responsibilities of IBM’s junior employees are transforming. After AI takes over routine coding, junior developers are more involved in customer collaboration and real business scenarios. In HR, new employees mainly intervene manually when chatbots cannot solve problems, correct results, and communicate with management.

IT House learned from the report that LaMoreaux pointed out that short-term reductions in entry-level recruitment may lower costs, but will cause middle management gaps in the future, forcing companies to poach talent from competitors at high prices, and external personnel often find it harder to quickly integrate into the company system.

Some corporate executives believe that during technological changes, young people are actually an advantageous asset. For example, Melanie Rosenwasser, Chief Human Resources Officer at Dropbox, said, “When it comes to using AI, they are like participating in the Tour de France, while we are still wearing training wheels.” Dropbox is expanding its internship and recent graduate recruitment by 25% to capitalize on young employees’ leading skills in AI.