AI vs Gen Z: How AI has changed the career pathway for junior developers

AI has dramatically altered the career landscape for junior developers, with tech employment for ages 22-25 declining nearly 20% since 2022 while increasing 9% for older workers. As companies increasingly trust AI over inexperienced talent, computer science graduates face higher unemployment rates than even fine arts majors, with internship opportunities dropping 30% in tech. Despite this disruption, the future likely involves a shift where Gen Z developers become AI shepherds rather than being replaced by it.