AI时代美国年轻人就业骤变

Core Insights - The article discusses the rapid integration of AI in the U.S. and its implications for employment, particularly among college graduates, highlighting a shift towards vocational training as a response to job market changes [2][4][6]. Employment Trends - Enrollment in vocational training schools teaching skills like plumbing and carpentry increased by 12% in spring 2025, significantly outpacing the 4% growth in college enrollment [4]. - Concerns about job security due to AI have led 77% of surveyed parents of Gen Z to prioritize choosing "jobs that are hard to automate" [4]. AI's Impact on Job Market - Ford's CEO predicts that AI could reduce white-collar jobs by half, emphasizing the importance of skilled labor and encouraging youth to pursue vocational training [6]. - The unemployment rate for the 20-24 age group rose from 7.5% in December 2024 to 9.2% in August 2025, indicating a significant impact on young college graduates [7]. Software Development Employment - A study from Stanford University estimates that employment in software development for ages 22-25 decreased by approximately 20% from mid-2022 to July 2025 due to AI advancements [9]. - The rise of AI in customer service roles is also noted, with AI applications becoming more prevalent [9]. Economic Resilience Amid Job Loss - Despite job losses in certain sectors, the overall U.S. economy remains robust, partly due to booming investments in data centers, which are projected to reach $7 trillion globally by 2030, with the U.S. accounting for 40% [9]. Electricity Demand and Pricing - The U.S. is experiencing a shift in electricity demand, with projections indicating record highs in 2024 and 2025, primarily driven by data centers [10]. - Electricity prices have increased by 5% year-on-year as of July 2025, with some regions near data centers seeing prices double over the past five years [11]. Infrastructure Challenges - New data centers can be built in about two years, while new power plants typically take 5-10 years, leading to potential supply-demand gaps [12]. - The extension of coal-fired power plants, which contradicts decarbonization efforts, is being considered to meet rising electricity demands [12]. AI Policy and Competition - The U.S. is focusing on accelerating AI development through the "AI Action Plan," contrasting with previous administrations' emphasis on AI safety [13]. - Concerns are raised about the competitive landscape with China, as the gap in AI model capabilities narrows, prompting the U.S. to tighten semiconductor export controls while fostering domestic innovation [13].