How AI is shrinking the job market for teens

The U.S. labor market is experiencing a cooling trend, with December data showing a modest addition of 50,000 jobs alongside significant downward revisions for previous months. A central concern emerging from this shift is the displacement of teenage workers by artificial intelligence, particularly in service sectors. High school researcher Karissa Tang, working with UCLA faculty, predicts a 27% decline in teen employment by 2030. Her analysis highlights that while roles requiring interpersonal skills or complex physical movements—such as restaurant hosts or cooks—remain relatively safe, routine positions like cashiers face a projected 54% drop due to digital kiosks and self-checkout technology. To mitigate these losses, educational reforms must pivot away from routine task training toward critical thinking, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. These adjustments aim to preserve the long-term career benefits, including higher adult salaries, traditionally gained through early work experience.