Almost nine in 10 employers expect artificial intelligence to reshape entry-level roles within three years, according to a new report. The Institute of Student Employers (ISE) surveyed 144 companies and found 87 per cent believe AI will soon change the nature of graduate and apprentice roles.
Almost one in five – 18 per cent – predicted lots of jobs would be replaced by the technology, while 40 per cent said there would be a smaller number of job losses. Larger scale job replacement was defined as more than 10 per cent of jobs. And 43 per cent said that their entry-level roles had already evolved in response to AI, but have not been formally redesigned.
When employers were asked what adjustments graduates would have to make for AI, 29 per cent said there would be 'significant' change while 58 per cent said it would be 'minor'. Big change was particularly anticipated by tourism employers, with 56 per cent predicting this, while in the legal sector it was 41 per cent.
The survey comes amid fears that junior roles – typically undertaken by career starters – are at risk of disappearing because they can be easily replicated by AI. Often they involve repetitive tasks and there is less need for high-level decision-making.
Stephen Isherwood, joint chief executive of ISE, said: 'While some entry-level roles will dramatically change in scope, the shift is less about jobs disappearing and more about tasks evolving. AI will take away some of the more routine admin work, but graduates and apprentices will need strong critical thinking and sound judgement. How you think and apply yourself have always mattered, but they will become even more important for success in the AI age. As the pace of change accelerates, new hires must be ready to adapt to evolving demands.'
The Student Development Survey of ISE members – large employers of graduates and apprentices – found the skills they seek may change. They told researchers critical thinking, AI literacy, communication and adaptability will grow in importance, while routine admin, basic data and writing tasks will lessen in significance. Many said they were investing in mental health support for workers who were worried about their career future or job burnout.
However, ISE also found growing concerns around how AI may be used by candidates during recruitment. This year two-thirds of employers believed graduates and apprentices are using AI to misrepresent skills, up from around half in 2025. The ISE, formerly the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), has around 750 members.
