Artificial Intelligence And The Future Of Graduate Employment: Risks And Opportunities

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the global labor market, profoundly affecting the nature of graduate employment. This study investigates the risks and opportunities AI presents for recent graduates, focusing on their awareness, preparedness, and perceptions across diverse regions and disciplines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data from 200 graduates with qualitative analysis of contemporary literature and policy frameworks. Findings reveal a growing recognition of AI’s dual role as a disruptor and enabler, highlighting significant concerns about job displacement, skill obsolescence, and unequal access to AI education. Simultaneously, new career pathways and roles are emerging, demanding adaptability and lifelong learning. The study underscores the urgent need for higher education institutions and policymakers to update curricula, foster interdisciplinary skill development, and promote equitable access to AI literacy. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring that graduates worldwide can successfully navigate and contribute to an AI-driven future workforce.