AI Reduces Entry-Level Job Opportunities in Switzerland, Study Finds

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the Swiss labour market, with young job seekers facing the biggest impact, according to a new national study. Entry-level positions in several industries have declined significantly as companies increasingly adopt AI tools and automation.

The findings come from the AI Report 2026, published by the Jobs.ch platform, which analysed millions of job advertisements across Switzerland. The study shows that the share of job listings for career starters in 2025 fell by nearly one-third compared to the pre-AI period (2019–2022).

Researchers found that the impact is strongest in AI-exposed roles, where tasks can be easily supported or replaced by artificial intelligence systems. These roles include positions in administration, human resources, banking, finance, marketing, procurement, sales, IT, and telecommunications.

In these sectors, the number of junior positions has dropped by 16%, while senior-level roles have increased by 26%. This shift suggests that companies are prioritising experienced professionals or relying on AI tools to handle basic tasks previously assigned to entry-level employees.

The report also indicates that businesses may be restructuring job roles, with routine and repetitive tasks increasingly automated, reducing the need for large numbers of junior staff.

The study is based on 7.3 million job advertisements collected from Jobs.ch, Jobup.ch, and JobScout24.ch between 2019 and 2025. Researchers also included surveys from employees and Swiss companies to better understand workforce changes.

A total of 18 occupational categories and 19 regions across Switzerland were analysed, providing one of the most comprehensive views of AI’s impact on employment in the country.

Experts suggest that while AI is improving productivity, it is also accelerating a shift in hiring practices, where experience and advanced skills are becoming more important than ever for securing employment.