While much of the AI industry warns that artificial intelligence will eliminate entry-level jobs, IBM is taking a different approach—planning to triple its entry-level hiring in the U.S. by 2026. According to Bloomberg, Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM’s chief human resources officer, announced the initiative at Charter’s Leading With AI Summit on Tuesday, emphasizing that the company is hiring for roles often considered vulnerable to automation. “And yes, it’s for all these jobs that we’re being told AI can do,” LaMoreaux said, highlighting the company’s commitment to building talent pipelines despite the rise of AI. The entry-level roles IBM is targeting won’t look like traditional positions from past decades. LaMoreaux explained that job descriptions have been revised to minimize focus on tasks easily automated by AI, such as basic coding or data entry. Instead, the new roles emphasize human-centric skills like customer engagement, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration—areas where human judgment and emotional intelligence remain essential. This shift reflects a broader strategic move: even as AI reduces the need for certain types of routine work, companies like IBM recognize the long-term value of investing in early-career talent. By bringing in less experienced workers and guiding their development, IBM aims to cultivate the next generation of skilled professionals ready for more complex, high-level roles. IBM has not disclosed the exact number of hires it plans to make under this initiative. TechCrunch reached out to the company for further details but has not yet received a response. The coming year could mark a turning point in how AI reshapes the job market. A 2025 MIT study estimated that nearly 12% of current jobs are already at high risk of automation by AI. Meanwhile, a TechCrunch survey found that many investors believe 2026 will be the first year to clearly reveal AI’s impact on employment—though they weren’t specifically asked about labor trends. As AI continues to evolve, IBM’s strategy underscores a growing realization: automation doesn’t have to mean downsizing. Instead, forward-thinking companies are redefining entry-level work to focus on uniquely human strengths, ensuring that talent development remains central to long-term success.