For decades, entry-level jobs in Ireland have been the launchpad for careers – the “training ground” where newcomers learned the ropes, built confidence, and began the climb up the professional ladder. But now, with the growth of AI,  the World Economic Forum (WEF) warns, that career ladder is starting to look a little bit different.

“AI is set to reshape the traditional career ladder, with entry-level jobs at risk,” the WEF notes. Across industries like finance, marketing, and journalism, junior staff have historically handled the groundwork – data entry, reporting, coordination, and administrative support. These “first jobs” were once all about learning on the job – but increasingly, AI is taking over some of those tasks. 

According to Bloomberg, cited in the WEF’s AI and the Career Ladder feature, AI-powered tools could automate as many roles as they create, particularly white-collar, entry-level ones. The upshot? The job market isn’t shrinking, but the types of roles available are changing fast. 

Ireland’s Picture: AI is Changing Work, Not Eliminating it

Ireland’s own data supports this transformation. PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer 2025 reveals just how fast the AI wave is rising: 

 – 162% increase in job postings for AI-exposed occupations 

 – 13.9% of AI-related roles are in the ICT sector 

 – 2.2% of all job ads now require AI-related skills 

This doesn’t mean jobs are disappearing — it means they’re evolving. 

PwC Ireland highlights that automation can play two roles: 

“It can displace people from roles, or it can change the nature of people’s jobs, freeing them from automatable tasks so they can focus on higher value work.” 

Encouragingly, right now, Ireland seems to be seeing more of the second effect. Jobs are changing rather than vanishing: data entry clerks are turning into data analysts, admin assistants are shifting into operations roles, and marketing assistants are becoming AI-enabled content coordinators. 

The future of work, then, is less about replacement and more about reinvention. 

Reshaping Skills: The Irish Workforce in Transition

PwC’s GenAI Business Leaders Survey 2025 underscores just how widespread this change will be. 

“73% of Irish business leaders believe AI will require most of their workforce to develop new skills.” 

That’s not just a niche concern — it’s happening across industries. AI skills are quickly becoming as important as basic digital literacy. But there’s a silver lining: if you’re willing to learn, there’s opportunity. 

Irish CEOs are already optimistic. Half of them — 50% — expect AI to boost profitability within the next 12 months. The AI era, PwC says, is “about value creation with and through workers.” In other words, people are still central – it’s just the way we add value that’s shifting. 

What Candidates Can Do Now

So, if entry-level roles are changing shape, how can emerging professionals’ future-proof their careers? 

1. Lean into learning – Treat AI as a colleague, not a competitor. Get familiar with the tools used in your field — from data dashboards to workflow automation — and think about how they can make your work easier and more interesting. Check out our blog in upskilling here.

2. Focus on transferable skills – Problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking still matter. AI can handle the numbers, but humans interpret, persuade, and connect. 

3. Build adaptability – Career paths aren’t always straight anymore. Sideways moves into analytics, operations, or digital roles can give you new experiences and open doors. 

4. Stay curious about business and technology – learn about your industry and how technology is shaping it. Ask questions, read, and find mentors who are embracing AI. 

5. Keep growing – AI will keep changing the workplace. Staying open to learning and trying new things will help you stay ahead. 

Take Heart: Opportunity Still Outweighs Risk

AI is changing how people start their careers, but it’s not wiping them out. What’s really happening is a shift – some of the old “first jobs” are disappearing, but new roles are opening up, blending human skills with tech. 

PwC points out that many roles won’t vanish; they’ll just look different. A data entry clerk might become a data analyst. An admin assistant might focus more on coordination, analysis, or digital tools. The key is to be ready to move with these changes. 

For candidates starting out on their career pathways, that means being curious, flexible, and willing to pick up new skills. Irish employers are still looking for people who are keen, reliable, and can work well with technology. 

The career ladder might not be as straightforward as it once was, but there are still plenty of ways to climb – you just need to be willing to take a few new paths to get there. 

At E-Frontiers, we can help you figure out your next steps – whether that’s finding the right role, building your skills, or understanding how your strengths fit into the changing market. Contact us today www.e-frontiers.ie and on LinkedIn