Big news from the tech world: IBM, one of the largest technology companies in the world, is planning to triple its entry-level hiring this year. This includes positions for software developers and other new graduates.

Why does this matter? Right now, many people believe that AI is destroying job opportunities, especially for entry-level workers and software engineers. But IBM's announcement tells a very different story.

What's happening at IBM? Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM's chief human resources officer, recently spoke at a conference about the company's exciting plans. She called IBM's approach "pretty provocative" because it goes against what most companies are doing.

LaMoreaux explained that IBM is creating "totally different jobs" for people. She said that the entry-level jobs that existed two or three years ago can now be done mostly by AI. But instead of eliminating these positions, IBM is rewriting every job to include new responsibilities.

IBM's CEO, Arvind Krishna, shared similar thoughts in an interview last year, showing that this is a real strategy for the company.

How does it work in practice? In the past, an entry-level developer would spend about 34 hours a week writing code. Now, these same developers are doing completely different tasks. They're working on marketing projects, meeting with clients, and building totally new products instead of just maintaining old ones.

IBM defines "entry-level" workers as recent graduates, people returning to work after a break, and individuals who are changing careers. The company also confirmed that it's still hiring for more senior positions, not just entry-level ones.

However, it's important to note that IBM did reduce its workforce of 270,000 people by about 1% in 2025 due to "business demand."

The bigger picture: Young people starting their careers today are facing a very difficult job market. Many blame AI for taking away opportunities. However, some economists argue that the real reasons are more traditional: higher interest rates are slowing down the economy, and companies hired too many people during the pandemic.

Companies are still learning: The situation is changing quickly, and businesses are still trying to figure out the best approach. Some companies have even reversed their decisions about job cuts after trying AI.

A recent survey of 240 financial services CEOs showed interesting results. Sixty percent said that investing in AI would lead to maintaining or increasing the number of employees. Only 28% expected their workforce to get smaller.

Why hire entry-level workers? Hiring at the entry level is actually a smart financial choice for companies. An early study from 2023 found that AI helps train new employees quickly and reduces employee turnover.

LaMoreaux explained IBM's reasoning: If companies don't hire cheaper entry-level talent, they'll probably have to recruit mid-level employees from competitors. This costs about 30% more in salary, "and they don't know our culture," she said. It also costs money to train these experienced workers in the company's specific ways of doing things.

Additionally, many experts believe that younger workers are actually a better choice during times of technological change. They are more comfortable with AI and understand how to use it effectively.

The bottom line: The need for young, tech-savvy, and affordable talent isn't going to disappear anytime soon. AI might be changing what jobs look like, but it's not necessarily eliminating the need for entry-level workers—it's transforming what they do.