Concerns about job losses due to AI intensify with every layoff announcement from companies. Up until May 2026, firms reported nearly 90,000 job reductions linked to AI, with projections indicating that as much as 15% of U.S. jobs could vanish because of AI in the coming five years. Promises from the tech sector about AI generating new employment opportunities do little to alleviate these fears, particularly for the cohort questioning whether they will find work after graduation. 

A fresh analysis from Ramp and Revelio Labs, which monitor enterprise AI expenditures and employee records across almost 22,000 businesses, adds complexity to this dismal outlook. 

The analysis found that organizations heavily investing in AI are increasing their workforce more rapidly, even in entry-level positions that many believe are at risk. The study noted that “high-intensity adopters”—companies spending an average of $30 monthly per employee on AI during the initial quarter—experienced a 10.2% increase in headcount.

Workforce growth also occurred across various functions, such as engineering, sales, administration, customer service, finance, marketing, and scientific roles. The most significant job growth among high-intensity adopters was seen in the information sector, encompassing software, internet, media, and technology-related companies. 

Despite these encouraging indicators, the information is not as bright as it might appear. It heavily leans toward tech-savvy, knowledge-driven companies—those that may have venture capital support and are already growing quickly, making it hard to determine if AI is aiding the hiring process or merely appearing at organizations that are expanding irrespective of AI.

“This paper does not indicate that AI universally spurs job creation,” the authors of the paper acknowledge, “but it does refute assertions that AI will result in widespread job losses.”

It also challenges the notion that AI is eliminating all junior positions. New research from Goldman Sachs indicated that AI has already caused the loss of approximately 16,000 net jobs monthly over the last year, with Gen Z and entry-level workers bearing the majority of this burden. However, the report shows that in tech-oriented companies, entry-level positions actually increased by 12%.

What can we derive from this? Perhaps that AI is not solely a tool for replacing labor, but rather an instrument for company growth. 

“For software and technology companies, AI can reduce the cost or speed of producing core outputs: coding, debugging, crafting internal tools, generating technical documentation, and aiding product development,” the report states. “Lower production expenses in these processes can enhance the return on expanding the entire firm, not just the engineering division.”

However, companies that acquire subscriptions and conduct pilot programs but do not make ongoing investments typically do not observe any increases in headcount, according to the report. 

This creates the risk of a widening divide between firms that have the necessary resources—such as capital, technical personnel, founder networks, and management capacity—to turn AI implementation into tangible business benefits, and those still experimenting with subscriptions. In essence, this report indicates that businesses already equipped with resources are poised to achieve the most significant gains. 

The authors of the paper suggest that such a divide may continue to expand, stating: “Firms lacking those channels may lag behind.”