Despite widespread concerns about AI-driven job losses, a new global survey reveals that artificial intelligence may actually fuel a significant rebound in entry-level hiring in 2026. According to an annual outlook survey conducted by advisory firm Teneo and released this month, 67% of public-company CEOs expect AI to increase entry-level hiring next year, while 58% plan to add senior-leadership roles as well.
The survey, conducted between October 14 and November 10, gathered responses from more than 350 global CEOs leading public companies with at least $1 billion in annual revenue, along with approximately 400 institutional investors representing $19 trillion in portfolio value. The findings challenge the prevailing narrative that AI is simply automating jobs away, instead suggesting a more nuanced transformation of the workforce.
Ryan Cox, Teneo’s global head of AI, emphasized this shift: “It’s not that AI is wiping out the workforce today — it’s reshaping it.” Companies are ramping up hiring in engineering and AI-related roles, while many existing positions are being reconfigured or reassigned as certain tasks become increasingly automated.
The hiring momentum aligns with a broader surge in corporate AI investment. Sixty-eight percent of CEOs said they plan to increase AI spending next year, up from 66% in 2025. Nearly nine in 10 CEOs reported that AI is already helping their organizations navigate disruption.
However, expectations around AI returns vary significantly. More than half of investors expect AI initiatives to show results in under six months, while only 16% of leaders at large-cap companies (with annual revenue of $10 billion or more) consider such fast returns realistic.
While some companies like HP have announced significant layoffs—planning to eliminate between 4,000 and 6,000 roles by 2028 to save $1 billion—and IBM announced workforce reductions in late 2025, the picture is more complex than simple job elimination. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna told CNN in October that the company is simultaneously shifting headcount toward AI and quantum computing, with plans to ramp up hiring of college graduates.
AI adoption has created entirely new job categories, including roles such as decision designer and AI experience officer, which focus on guiding AI systems and enhancing human-AI collaboration. The technology is also driving demand for programmers and sales employees, signaling a fundamental reshaping rather than elimination of the workforce.
Key Quotes
It’s not that AI is wiping out the workforce today — it’s reshaping it
Ryan Cox, Teneo’s global head of AI, made this statement to emphasize that the impact of artificial intelligence on employment is more nuanced than simple job elimination. This perspective is central to understanding the survey’s findings that show increased hiring plans despite automation concerns.
Sixty-seven percent of the CEOs surveyed said they expect AI to increase entry-level hiring in 2026, and 58% said they plan to add senior-leadership roles as well
This key finding from the Teneo survey reveals that a significant majority of public-company CEOs anticipate AI will create hiring opportunities across experience levels, contradicting fears that automation will simply eliminate jobs without creating new ones.
Our Take
The Teneo survey reveals a critical inflection point in how corporate leaders view AI’s workforce impact. While 2025 has been marked by high-profile layoffs attributed to automation, the forward-looking optimism about 2026 hiring suggests companies are moving beyond the initial “efficiency through reduction” phase into a “growth through transformation” mindset.
Particularly noteworthy is the focus on entry-level hiring—a segment that has struggled in recent years as companies demanded more experience for junior roles. This could represent a genuine opportunity for recent graduates and career changers to enter AI-adjacent fields.
However, the stark gap between investor expectations for rapid AI returns and CEO realism suggests potential turbulence ahead. If AI investments don’t deliver quick wins, we may see another wave of cost-cutting that could undermine these optimistic hiring projections. The key question remains: will companies invest in training workers to collaborate with AI, or will they simply seek AI-native talent, potentially creating a new skills divide?
Why This Matters
This survey represents a crucial counterpoint to the dominant narrative of AI-driven job displacement that has dominated headlines throughout 2025. The findings suggest that while AI is undeniably transforming the workforce, it’s creating opportunities alongside disruption—particularly for entry-level workers who have faced challenging job markets in recent years.
The 67% of CEOs planning to increase entry-level hiring signals a potential reversal of the trend toward requiring extensive experience for even junior positions. As companies invest heavily in AI infrastructure, they’re recognizing the need for fresh talent to implement, manage, and work alongside these systems.
The disconnect between investor expectations (results in under six months) and CEO realism (only 16% expect fast returns) highlights a critical tension in AI adoption. This gap could influence future investment decisions and corporate AI strategies. For businesses and workers, the message is clear: AI is reshaping rather than replacing the workforce, creating demand for new skills while automating routine tasks. The emergence of entirely new job categories like “decision designer” and “AI experience officer” demonstrates that we’re in the early stages of a fundamental workplace transformation that will require adaptation from both employers and employees.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-hiring-comeback-entry-level-jobs-ceo-teneo-survey-2025-12