In a striking turn of events, the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the job market in ways few predicted—and young men are bearing the brunt. Recent data released on August 29, 2025, reveals a dramatic rise in unemployment among men, particularly those in Generation Z and recent college graduates, outpacing job losses among women. The culprit? The AI revolution, which is rewriting the rules of work across industries from law offices to factory floors.
Historically, the story was quite different. For much of the twentieth century, women in the United States faced higher unemployment rates than men. According to research cited by Equitable Growth and reported by both Fortune and the Financial Times, before the 1980s, female unemployment exceeded male unemployment by about 1.5 percentage points. But as the 1980s dawned, that gap began to close, and for decades the rates remained roughly balanced.
Now, the pendulum is swinging again—but in the opposite direction. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve (FED), the unemployment rate for men aged 20 to 24 soared to nearly 9.0% in June 2025. For women in the same age group, the rate was a significantly lower 7.2% during the second quarter of the year. The trend is even more pronounced among recent college graduates: over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate for young men jumped from below 5% to 7%, while the rate for their female peers held steady or even declined slightly.
What’s behind this sudden reversal? The finger points squarely at AI. As Fortune notes, for decades, careers in information technology—especially programming and software development—were seen as a surefire path to a six-figure salary, particularly for young men. But the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has upended that certainty. These large language models can now write code, debug software, and automate many basic programming tasks, sharply reducing demand for entry-level coders. As a result, the number of programming jobs has plummeted to its lowest point since 1980.
Stanford Digital Economy Lab, analyzing ADP payroll data, found that workers aged 22–25 in industries most vulnerable to AI replacement have seen job losses between 13% and 16% in recent years. The effect is particularly acute for new male graduates, who, according to studies by the New York Fed, have lost the traditional "degree advantage." Their unemployment rates now closely mirror those of men without college degrees—a dramatic shift from the long-held belief that higher education was a ticket to stable employment.
The shock is palpable for young men who once saw computer science degrees as the key to the future. Many are now questioning the wisdom of pursuing programming, as entry-level opportunities dwindle and competition intensifies. “Learning programming” is no longer the automatic advice for a secure career path.
But while men are struggling to find footing in the rapidly changing tech landscape, women are increasingly gravitating toward sectors that seem, for now, resistant to AI’s reach. Healthcare and social care—fields that have historically employed more women—are booming, driven by aging populations and surging demand for personal services. According to Indeed data, healthcare recruitment has jumped 162% compared to pre-pandemic levels in many developed countries. These roles require soft skills and direct human interaction—qualities that robots and algorithms simply can’t replicate.
“Healthcare is a classic recession-proof industry because the demand for medical care is always high,” Priya Rathod, a career expert at Indeed, told Fortune. “During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, healthcare jobs continued to grow even as employment in the U.S. overall declined.”
The numbers back up Rathod’s point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in 2021, 16.4 million women worked in healthcare and insurance, making up a staggering 77.6% of the workforce in those sectors. In the past year alone, tens of thousands of new positions have opened up in healthcare, with nearly 50,000 jobs going to female graduates—double the number of new jobs for men across all industries combined. For young women with college degrees, unemployment rates are not only stable but lower than those of their male counterparts.
This divergence is causing many young men to reassess their career strategies. With the traditional "degree ticket" no longer guaranteeing a good job or high wages, some are venturing into manual trades and crafts, seeking stability and decent income without the burden of costly college degrees. “Vocational training” is becoming a new trend, as more young men consider careers in fields less susceptible to automation.
Yet, the story isn’t set in stone. As the Financial Times points out, the current advantage for women may not be permanent. If AI continues to penetrate low-level office jobs—many of which employ women in roles such as administration, law, consulting, accounting, and secretarial work—the unemployment gap could narrow, or even reverse. The threat looms over sectors where women have traditionally found stable employment, raising urgent questions about the future of work for both genders.
What’s clear is that the labor market desperately needs new approaches to training and education. Experts across the board are calling for retraining programs that blend technical knowledge with management and creative skills. Both men and women are being urged to consider "AI-resistant" fields—healthcare, education, and specialized technical sectors—rather than simply chasing the latest industry boom.
AI isn’t just taking jobs away; it’s also creating new opportunities. But who will benefit, and how quickly, depends on how adaptable individuals are—and how responsive education and labor policies can be. The speed of this transformation is forcing young men, in particular, to rethink their career plans. The old advice—"learn to code"—no longer holds the same promise it once did. Many are now considering hands-on professions, where human skills and physical presence still matter, and where AI’s reach is limited.
The stakes are high. If young men fail to adapt, the employment gap between men and women could widen even further, with profound social consequences. The labor market, as Fortune and the Financial Times observe, is at a crossroads—one where resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change will be the keys to future success. As AI continues its relentless advance, the only certainty is that the world of work will look very different in the years to come.
For now, the message is clear: the AI revolution is here, and it’s rewriting the rules of employment. Those who recognize the shift and prepare for it—whether by pursuing new skills, entering resilient industries, or embracing lifelong learning—will be best positioned to thrive in the new economy.
