Indeed Hiring Lab research suggests the most consequential labor pressure in the U.S. is aging demographics—rather than near-term AI-driven job loss—driven by the shrinking growth of the labor force. The analysis projects the labor force could shrink by nearly 6 million workers by 2032 as baby boomers retire faster than younger cohorts replace them. It argues that AI concerns about job displacement may be misdirected because evidence so far points to continued hiring tied to AI implementation, infrastructure, and deployment. Instead, the biggest shortages may hit sectors that remain heavily dependent on human labor, including healthcare, construction, and skilled trades. The piece cites Health Resources and Services Administration projections indicating the U.S. could face a shortage of more than 140,000 full-time physicians by 2038. For higher education, the takeaway is clear: program planning and workforce alignment should account for demographic constraints and human-intensive credential pathways, not just automation trends.