Gen Z Has an Edge in AI Job Market, Says LinkedIn Cofounder Reid Hoffman

LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman has offered an optimistic outlook to students concerned about job displacement due to artificial intelligence. In a recent YouTube video, Hoffman encouraged young job seekers to highlight their AI skills as a major strength when applying for jobs.

“Gen Z is the generation of AI, and this will make this generation ‘enormously attractive,’” LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman said.

He was responding to questions from college students expressing concern about the future of jobs amid the rise of AI. While he acknowledged that the fear of AI replacing jobs is a “legitimate worry,” he stressed that younger generations are better positioned to adapt, thanks to their digital fluency.

AI Reshaping Jobs, but Youth Could Benefit

“It is transforming the workspace, entry-level work, and employers’ confusion,” LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman said, adding that this shift also provides an opportunity for young professionals to showcase unique capabilities.

This view contrasts with the gloomier predictions made by other tech leaders.

Dario Amodei Warns of AI’s Disruptive Impact

In a stark contrast, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned in an Axios interview that AI could drastically shrink the workforce.

“Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen,” Amodei said. “It sounds crazy, and people just don’t believe it.”
He predicted that up to 50% of entry-level office jobs could be eliminated, pushing unemployment up to 20% within five years.

Nvidia CEO Dismisses Doomsday Outlook

However, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, speaking at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, took a completely different stance.

“I pretty much disagree with almost everything he says,” Huang said of Amodei’s comments. “He thinks AI is so scary, but only they should do it.”

Huang echoed Hoffman’s sentiments, suggesting that AI will bring significant changes to how we work but will also create new industries and opportunities.

“Do I think AI will change jobs? It will change everyone’s, it’s changed mine,” he added.

Hoffman Warns: AI Is Not Your Friend

Interestingly, despite his optimism about AI’s potential in the workplace, Hoffman remains firm on one point:

“If you think AI is your friend, then you are wrong.”

He emphasized the difference between genuine friendships and interactions with AI tools.

“Friendship is a two-directional relationship,” he said.
“It’s not only, ‘Are you there for me?’, but I am here for you.”

Hoffman argued that mutual emotional support — the essence of true friendship — is something no AI, however advanced, can replicate.

Hoffman’s Views on AI Companionship vs Real Connections

His remarks come at a time when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is promoting AI companions to tackle loneliness. Zuckerberg pointed to statistics showing many Americans have fewer than three close friends and suggested AI could help fill that emotional gap.

These virtual companions are being integrated across platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and even smart glasses.

However, Hoffman voiced concerns over the potential blurring of lines between companionship and genuine relationships.

He noted that some companies, such as Inflection AI, are approaching the space more carefully.

Tools like Pi chatbot, Hoffman said, are “making it clear to users that they serve as companions — not substitutes for real friends.”

Conclusion

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the employment landscape, opinions among tech leaders remain sharply divided. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman acknowledges the legitimate fears surrounding AI-driven job disruptions but offers a reassuring outlook for Gen Z. Their native fluency with digital tools and AI gives them a critical advantage in a transforming job market.

While leaders like Dario Amodei foresee mass unemployment due to AI replacing entry-level roles, others, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Hoffman himself, believe the technology will also create new opportunities and industries.

However, Hoffman draws a firm boundary when it comes to AI's role in human relationships. While companies like Meta promote AI companions to tackle loneliness, Hoffman argues that authentic friendship requires mutual emotional exchange—something AI cannot replicate. As we move into an AI-dominated future, his message is clear: embrace AI’s potential for productivity, but don’t confuse machine intelligence with human connection.