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"This time it's different" Generative Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Choice

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Listed:
  • Daniel Goller
  • Christian Gschwendt
  • Stefan C. Wolter

Abstract

In this paper, we show the causal influence of the launch of generative AI in the form of ChatGPT on the search behavior of young people for apprenticeship vacancies. There is a strong and long-lasting decline in the intensity of searches for vacancies, which suggests great uncertainty among the affected cohort. Analyses based on the classification of occupations according to tasks, type of cognitive requirements, and the expected risk of automation to date show significant differences in the extent to which specific occupations are affected. Occupations with a high proportion of cognitive tasks, with high demands on language skills, and those whose automation risk had previously been assessed by experts as lower are significantly more affected by the decline. However, no differences can be found with regard to the proportion of routine vs. non-routine tasks.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Goller & Christian Gschwendt & Stefan C. Wolter, 2023. ""This time it's different" Generative Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Choice," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0209, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    • Handle: RePEc:iso:educat:0209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Goller, Daniel & Wolter, Stefan C., 2025. "Reaching for gold! The impact of a positive reputation shock on career choice," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    2. Kauhanen, Antti & Rouvinen, Petri, 2026. "AI Has Not Impacted the Youth Labor Market in Finland," ETLA Working Papers 135, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.

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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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