Junior hiring slows first where generative AI can help
In brief
According to a Banque de France and HEC study, permanent hires of 21-29 year-olds in the most AI-exposed jobs were about 28% below November 2022 levels in March 2026, versus about 8% in the least exposed jobs. Across all contracts, young hires fell 22.1% in the most exposed roles. The effect fades with age.
Source : Silicon.fr - « En France, l’IA générative fermerait d’abord la porte aux débutants »
What it changes for an SME
For an SME of 10 to 250 people, this is not a wave of dismissals. According to the study, firms can hire fewer beginners and leave some departures unfilled, which is simpler in France than ending a permanent contract. Your teams may then renew more slowly, especially in entry-level roles that are easy to codify. The authors note that other forces also hit the same jobs and that the figures show an association, not yet an isolated effect of AI.
What you can do
- Identify entry-level roles whose tasks are easy to codify and leave little autonomy.
- Compare your hiring of 21-29 year-olds since late 2022 with that of more experienced staff in those roles.
- Check whether you still replace every junior departure or whether AI already covers part of that work.
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