ChatGPT, and other coding tools, are being blamed for a collapse in tech job openings, particularly for younger software developers and engineers.
A report by the UK’s National Foundation for Education Research showed a 50% decline, external in tech job adverts between 2019/20 and 2024/25, with entry level roles particularly affected.
The report cited the “anticipated impact of artificial intelligence” as one of the factors behind this.
At the same time, software developers have widely adopted AI code tools, while simultaneously expressing distrust in their output.
Research by Stack Overflow, external, a software knowledge platform, shows almost half use AI tools daily, despite just one third actually trusting the output of such tools.
Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Stack Overflow, says it’s “a tricky time to graduate”.
More broadly, he says, its research shows developers are choosing to stay put, despite many expressing dissatisfaction with their work. “People are probably running for safety a little bit.”
All of this means young technologists are finding it harder to get that critical first job.