In reporting on a new Google AI fluency study, the Fortune article draws on commentary from Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, to highlight how workers can succeed alongside AI rather than be displaced by it. Sigelman states: “While being able to vibe code some new spreadsheet tracker app is interesting and a good skills-building exercise, it’s unlikely to help you do your job bigger and better. But using AI to help generate new ideas, prototype concepts, and automate manual work so you can focus on higher-value activities will be the key to thriving alongside an AI-supported workforce.”

The Financial Times article frames the debate over AI and jobs by moving beyond opinion and grounding part of its argument in empirical research from the Burning Glass Institute. Citing the institute’s report Beyond the Binary, the piece highlights evidence that “occupations with high AI exposure tend to be knowledge work” — roles centered on information processing, communication and analysis — where AI can both automate routine tasks and enhance more complex ones. Rather than presenting this as a speculative view, the article uses the report to support a data-driven conclusion: AI is not cleanly dividing the labour market into winners and losers, but instead transforming job content across a wide range of occupations. In doing so, the FT contrasts alarmist narratives about mass displacement with research-based findings showing that augmentation and task redesign are occurring within existing roles, reshaping skills demand more than eliminating work outright.

Despite strong GDP growth and low unemployment, the core white-collar sectors — finance, insurance, information, and professional and business services — have been losing jobs since late 2022, marking a sharp break from their steady growth in the 2010s. While these industries account for over 40% of U.S. GDP and continue expanding economically, employment in them has fallen as companies correct pandemic-era overhiring, streamline operations, and increasingly automate work, including through AI. The result is higher productivity but fewer office jobs, helping explain why many Americans feel pessimistic about the job market even though broader economic indicators remain solid.

Despite strong GDP growth and low unemployment, the core white-collar sectors — finance, insurance, information, and professional and business services — have been losing jobs since late 2022, marking a sharp break from their steady growth in the 2010s. While these industries account for over 40% of U.S. GDP and continue expanding economically, employment in them has fallen as companies correct pandemic-era overhiring, streamline operations, and increasingly automate work, including through AI. The result is higher productivity but fewer office jobs, helping explain why many Americans feel pessimistic about the job market even though broader economic indicators remain solid.

What separates companies where talent stays from those where it doesn’t? It’s not their industry, size, or budget. It’s whether their talent practices work as a system.

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has launched the new Singapore Opportunity Index to track employer outcomes like pay, hiring, retention, and progression, helping jobseekers identify firms with strong career opportunities.

Roughly 19.6 million college students are returning to campus this fall facing bleak job prospects after graduation, as the entry-level career ladder has weakened and many will struggle to find roles that use their degrees.

Too many students are being pushed into college programs that no longer provide strong job preparation, leaving many graduates underemployed in roles that don’t require their degrees.

Many workers are earning job-skill certificates, but most of these credentials deliver little pay boost or career advancement, according to a Wall Street Journal report based on research from the Burning Glass Institute.

Recent college graduates are facing one of the toughest job markets in years, with unemployment for those ages 22–27 rising to ~5.8%, outpacing the national average. Employers are scaling back entry-level hiring, prolonging recruitment processes, and increasingly favoring candidates with experience — in part due to economic uncertainty and automation pressures. According to research from the Burning Glass Institute, structural changes (such as AI automating junior tasks and lean staffing practices) are reshaping entry-level work and worsening underemployment among new degree holders.

Companies have long leaned on entry-level workers to do grunt work that doubles as on-the-job training. Now ChatGPT and other bots can do many of those chores.

An oversaturated market is hard on workers with and without degrees.

A new collaboration between the Burning Glass Institute and the Harvard Business School Project on Managing the Future of Work explores the profound impact of generative AI on the job market. With AI poised to affect nearly 50 million U.S. jobs, this research highlights how automation will reshape career pathways—closing doors for some while creating new opportunities for others. Entry-level roles in high-learning-curve fields may shrink, while access to traditionally specialized jobs could expand as AI lowers technical skill barriers. As companies rethink organizational structures, talent strategies, and training models, those that adapt swiftly will gain a competitive edge. Read more here

In the wake of the 2024 election, the dominant image of America’s “working class” as hard-hat-wearing factory workers is increasingly outdated. Two-thirds of working-class Americans without a four-year degree are employed in service industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality, where their unique challenges—including low pay, unpredictable schedules, and limited career advancement—often go unmet. While policymakers focus on reviving manufacturing, millions of service workers struggle with wage stagnation, a lack of workplace voice, and barriers to unionization. Apprenticeships could offer a promising pathway to advancement, but outdated perceptions have slowed their adoption in service sectors. Addressing these issues is critical to supporting America’s true working class.

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The Economist and the Burning Glass Institute have partnered to measure the extent to which 150 of the largest companies in the United Kingdom have created opportunity and mobility for their workforce.

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New research shows that 73 “launchpad jobs” can help those without a four-year college degree advance and achieve higher pay. Read more here

despite employers increasingly dropping degree requirements, there remains hesitation in hiring based solely on skills. Many firms still prefer candidates with a college degree, and skills-based hiring is happening at a slower pace than anticipated. While research shows that hiring for skills can lead to better job performance and retention, traditional filters like degrees remain a significant barrier. More changes in hiring practices are needed to open opportunities for workers without degrees.

Kevin Dykema highlights the urgent need for data science and literacy education in U.S. K-12 schools. He argues that data skills are essential across all industries, yet American students lag in these areas. To prepare students for a data-driven future, Dykema calls for integrating data literacy into all school subjects, starting early, and engaging teachers in this effort. The goal is to equip all students, not just a select few, with the skills to navigate and succeed in a data-centric world.

Chipotle, Lowe’s, and Walgreens have been identified as the best large companies for high school graduates, offering significant opportunities for quick hiring and promotion. According to the American Opportunity Index, these firms are notably more likely to hire and promote individuals with high school diplomas compared to other major companies. This ranking provides valuable insights for high school graduates seeking to enter the workforce directly and advance their careers without a college degree.

Peter Coy's opinion piece in The New York Times highlights the harsh reality facing the college class of 2024: a tough job market. According to a report by the Burning Glass Institute, 52% of recent graduates are underemployed, working in jobs that don't require their degrees. Five years out, 88% of these individuals remain in roles far below their qualifications. Despite the challenges, certain majors like computer science and engineering are still in demand. Coy suggests that graduates should focus on developing a mix of technical and people skills to stand out in a competitive job market.