Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how companies hire early career talent. Twenty-two per cent of Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) say at least one business leader in their organisation has stopped hiring for entry-level roles because of AI automation, according to new research from Gartner.
The findings come from Gartner's fourth quarter 2025 survey of 110 heads of HR, which also shows AI adoption has become widespread across enterprises. Yet many organisations continue to struggle to translate those investments into meaningful business outcomes.
AI adoption is rising, but business value remains uneven
The survey found 95% of organisations implemented AI in some form over the past year. However, only one in five reported achieving significant or transformational value from those deployments.
According to Gartner, most AI investments currently focus on automating or augmenting lower-complexity work traditionally carried out by entry-level employees. As routine tasks become increasingly automated, organisations are left with fewer junior roles and higher expectations for new hires entering the workforce.
Why HR leaders are concerned
Kaelyn Lowmaster, Director Analyst in Gartner's HR practice, said removing entry-level positions could create longer-term workforce challenges.
"Organisations that respond by cutting their early career talent pipelines altogether risk creating significant workforce challenges down the road. Instead of eliminating these early career roles, organisations should redefine them to enable earlier contributions to higher-value work and build the talent they will need in the future."
According to Gartner, reducing entry-level hiring could have several unintended consequences:
- Higher recruitment costs, as organisations rely more heavily on experienced external hires.
- Fewer opportunities for employees to develop practical skills through day-to-day work.
- Reduced institutional knowledge, as fewer workers progress through internal career pathways.
- Greater pressure on new employees to perform more complex work earlier in their careers.
Three priorities for CHROs
Gartner said HR leaders should redesign, rather than remove, early career roles as AI changes how work is distributed across organisations.
The research identifies three areas CHROs should prioritise.
1. Shift suitable work to early career employees
Annika Jessen, Director Analyst in Gartner's HR practice, said understanding AI's impact on work can help organisations identify responsibilities suitable for junior employees.
She said leaders should analyse how AI changes workforce capabilities across critical business functions and identify job families where work can safely shift across roles.
According to Gartner, this process should begin by assessing business value streams, the capabilities supporting them and how AI is changing work through assistance, augmentation, automation or autonomous operation.
2. Strengthen team-based learning
Gartner also highlighted the need for stronger workplace support systems as routine work becomes less available for learning.
A separate December 2025 Gartner survey of 3,086 employees found workers were 3.8 times more likely to report high levels of skills preparedness when they developed adaptable skills.
Meaghan Kelly, Director Analyst in Gartner's HR practice, said organisations can no longer depend on traditional approaches to employee development.
She said employers should create broader on-the-job learning opportunities and help employees build versatility rather than focusing solely on mastering a single role.
3. Create development safety nets
The research also recommends providing structured support for early career employees working in more complex environments.
According to Gartner, organisations should equip employees with practical tools, guidance and peer support to help them navigate uncertainty while reducing the risk of mistakes.
The company also recommends adapting training programmes to strengthen business acumen and improve employees' understanding of how their work contributes to organisational outcomes.
Workforce planning enters a new phase
The findings suggest AI is beginning to influence workforce planning beyond productivity gains. While many organisations are automating routine work, Gartner warns against dismantling early career hiring pipelines altogether.
Instead, the research points towards redesigning entry-level roles so employees can contribute to higher-value work sooner while continuing to build the skills organisations will need in the years ahead.