The U.S. labor market added 178,000 jobs in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Summary
- Job growth in March remained modest, while tech hiring remained weak and entry-level positions continued to decline.
- AI use has increased in offices, but many workers have reported rework, frustration and loss of confidence.
- Executives saw gains from AI tools, while staff faced errors and additional controls on a daily basis.
The data showed limited change from the previous month, although companies continued to talk about AI-led growth and greater efficiency in the workplace.
This gap has focused attention on whether AI increases hiring and production as promised. Recent reports on work, workplace and industry show a more mixed picture, particularly in technology and entry-level positions.
Most of the job growth in March came from health care, construction, transportation and warehousing, and social assistance. Healthcare added 76,000 jobs, while construction gained 26,000 and transportation and warehousing 21,000.
BLS data did not show the same strength in technology-related areas. IT infrastructure providers and web search portals showed little movement, while computer systems design and related services lost 13,000 jobs during the month.
This trend contrasts with public claims that tech hiring is recovering. Marc Andreessen said fears about AI-related job losses were overblown and shared data showing more job openings at tech companies.
But openings do not always lead to hires. March employment figures showed the strongest hiring came from sectors other than core technology, while related digital services remained flat or declined.
A recent report from Goldman Sachs, cited by Fortune, indicates that AI has eliminated approximately 16,000 jobs per month over the past year. At the same time, a 2025 SignalFire study found that hiring of new graduates fell 50% from levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
SignalFire said: “It used to be that the door to technology was wide open for new grads. Today, it’s barely open.” The report links this shift to smaller funding rounds, smaller teams, fewer graduate programs, and increasing use of AI.
Goldman Sachs also warned that workers excluded by technology often turn to more routine jobs. The report says this change can reduce the value of their existing skills and weaken work outcomes for years.
This concern has broadened the debate around AI and employment. Although some executives still expect long-term gains, recent data has focused attention on current hiring trends and the question of who bears the cost of change.
Workers’ Experience Doesn’t Match Leaders’ Optimism
Executives continue to report strong support for AI tools. Harvard Business Review said 80% of executives use AI every week, while 74% reported positive feedback on early deployments.
Workers reported a different experience. Mercer said 43% of workers found their jobs more frustrating, while Workday said nearly four hours were lost fixing AI results for every 10 hours of claimed efficiency gains.
The Harvard Business Review also highlighted “workslop,” described as content that looks polished but lacks substance. Researchers said 41 percent of workers experienced this type of result, with each case adding nearly two hours of rework.
Workday said only 14% of respondents “consistently achieve positive bottom line results from the use of AI.” This result suggests that many workplaces still face errors, additional reviews, and low confidence in results.
OpenAI warns that policy could lag behind change
The gap between leadership usage and staff’s day-to-day experience can come from how teams use the tools. Harvard Business Review said that senior leaders often apply AI to strategy, writing and summarizing, where the systems tend to work best.
For routine operations requiring consistent precision, the results appear less reliable. ServiceNow’s Brian Solis called this burden an “AI tax,” which he described as “More verification.” No more editing. No more anxiety.”
OpenAI also recognized that AI is changing jobs. His policy ideas included broader health coverage, support for retirement savings, and a new industrial agenda.
The company said its proposals were preliminary and intended to begin discussion. He also warns: “Unless policy keeps pace with technological change, the institutions and safety nets needed to manage this transition could fall behind. »
