The impact is undeniable. U.S. job openings fell from a peak of 12 million in March 2022 to 7.23 million by August 2025, the lowest since C19. The decline accelerated after AI adoption surged following ChatGPT’s release in late 2022, hitting young workers hardest Employment for ages 22–25 in AI-exposed fields dropped 13%, while entry-level software developer jobs fell nearly 20%. Major tech firms cut tens of thousands of roles in 2023–2025, citing AI-driven restructuring. Despite all this, the S&P 500 climbed more than 50% on AI-fueled efficiency gains and corporate profit growth.