AI reshapes workforce as blue-collar demand rises, college hiring slows
7 reported1 unconfirmed
A CNBC report examines how the spread of artificial intelligence is altering the U.S. labor market, with companies like AT&T struggling to find skilled blue-collar workers while hiring for entry-level white-collar roles slows. AT&T CEO John Stankey said the company needs workers who understand electricity, photonics, and fiber installation, noting that the U.S. is not producing enough such workers. The report highlights that the average unemployment rate for recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 rose to about 5.4% in 2025, up from a historical average of 4.5%. Research from Stanford’s Digital Economy Lab found that early-career workers in AI-exposed fields saw 16% slower employment growth between mid-2024 and September 2025. A separate study by U.S. Census Bureau economist Lee Tucker found a 12% to 15% decline in employment for workers ages 22 to 24 in AI-exposed industries from late 2022 to mid-2025, resulting in about 150,000 fewer early-career jobs. Meanwhile, AT&T announced a $250 billion investment plan over five years, with about 15% allocated to hiring and training blue-collar front-line workers, primarily skilled technicians.
What’s reported
AT&T CEO John Stankey said the company needs workers skilled in electricity, photonics, and fiber installation, and that the U.S. is not producing enough such workers.
The average unemployment rate for recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 rose to about 5.4% in 2025, compared to a historical average of 4.5% since 1990.
Stanford’s Digital Economy Lab found early-career workers in AI-exposed roles saw 16% slower employment growth between mid-2024 and September 2025.
U.S. Census Bureau economist Lee Tucker found a 12% to 15% decline in employment for workers ages 22 to 24 in AI-exposed industries from Q3 2022 to Q2 2025, equating to about 150,000 fewer early-career jobs.
AT&T plans to invest $250 billion over five years, with about 15% used for hiring and training blue-collar front-line workers, mostly skilled technicians.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the infrastructure buildout will create jobs for plumbers, electricians, construction workers, and network technicians, many with six-figure salaries.
Consultant Aaron Cheris of Bain & Company said AI is doing the entry-level job that new graduates used to perform.
Open questions
It is unclear how sustainable the blue-collar job boom will be once companies complete the expected wave of chip factories, data centers, and other AI-fueled construction.
Key figures
John Stankey, CEO of AT&T
May Hu, 26-year-old tech consultant turned social media influencer, former Deloitte employee
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia
Shannan Clark, associate professor of history at Montclair State University
Aaron Cheris, global head of Bain & Company’s retail practice
Erik Brynjolfsson, Stanford University economist
Lee Tucker, senior economist with the Center for Economic Studies at the U.S. Census Bureau
Sources: CNBC
