MIT research scientist Andrew McAfee warned that replacing entry-level roles with automation may backfire by cutting off apprenticeship-style training that develops future knowledge workers. McAfee, co-leading MIT’s Initiative on the Digital Economy, argued that early-career work is where “the apprenticeship ladder” forms and that removing those roles disrupts the pipeline for tomorrow’s leaders. McAfee tied the argument to Gen Z’s rapid AI adoption, citing a Deloitte study in which 76% of Gen Z reported using standalone AI tools. He said this makes entry-level hiring a competitive advantage for firms seeking workers fluent in AI as it is integrated into operations. The warning is landing as entry-level hiring signals remain mixed. Handshake data cited in the report shows postings down year-over-year, while college graduate unemployment remains elevated compared with earlier cycles. For higher education and workforce partners, the central development is the explicit claim that entry-level role design—human-led, trainable tasks versus fully automated workflows—may determine whether employers can source skilled talent in an AI-saturated economy.