How AI is shrinking the job market for teens - The Indicator from Planet Money Recap

Podcast: The Indicator from Planet Money

Published: 2026-01-09

Duration: 9 minutes

Guests: Carissa Tang

Summary

AI technologies are increasingly replacing jobs traditionally held by teenagers, such as cashiers and fast food workers, leading to a significant decrease in available positions. A young researcher, Carissa Tang, explores the impact and suggests educational reforms to prepare future generations.

What Happened

Carissa Tang, a 17-year-old from California, investigates how AI is impacting jobs typically held by teenagers, such as cashiers and fast food workers. Sparked by her aunt's boba shop not hiring due to AI kiosks, Carissa conducts a detailed study on the top jobs for teens and their susceptibility to AI replacement.

She finds that the number one job for teens, cashier, could see a 54% drop in employment due to digital kiosks. Fast food counter workers and restaurant servers, also popular teen jobs, are at risk as AI technologies like self-checkout and automated fry stations become more prevalent.

Carissa's research suggests a potential 27% decline in teen job opportunities by 2030. Despite these findings, some roles, such as restaurant hosts and cooks, appear safe from AI displacement due to their requirement for interpersonal skills and complex physical tasks.

Carissa uses AI tools like ChatGPT for her studies, showcasing her tech-savvy approach and adaptability to changing technologies. She emphasizes the importance of adapting education to prepare students for a future where AI is more integrated into the workforce.

Her research is supported by George Geis from UCLA, who praises her analytical skills and innovative thinking. Carissa's work includes policy recommendations to help educators equip students with skills needed in an AI-driven economy.

She is currently working on submitting her findings to academic journals and plans to pursue a degree in business or economics. Her story highlights the need for young people to be proactive in understanding and adapting to technological changes in the job market.

Key Insights

• Digital kiosks could lead to a 54% reduction in cashier jobs, the most common employment for teenagers, as businesses increasingly adopt AI technologies.
• Teen job opportunities may decline by 27% by 2030 due to AI advancements in sectors like fast food and retail, where automation is replacing traditional roles.
• Jobs requiring interpersonal skills and complex physical tasks, such as restaurant hosts and cooks, are less susceptible to AI displacement, offering a safer employment option for teens.
• Adapting education to include AI-related skills is crucial for preparing students for future job markets, as demonstrated by Carissa Tang's use of AI tools like ChatGPT in her research.