Charles Esther
Marcelino “Mashico” Abad may have made history in 2024 as he celebrated his 124th birthday in Huánuco, Peru.
Local authorities believe he could be the oldest person ever documented.
Born in 1900, Abad has lived through two world wars, seen the birth of the internet, and now, the global impact of artificial intelligence.
His incredible milestone serves as a striking reminder of human endurance and the speed of technological progress.
AI Shifts the Landscape of Tech Employment
While Marcelino’s story highlights longevity, a different kind of transformation is happening in the tech industry — one driven by artificial intelligence.
AI is fundamentally altering the way tech companies hire talent.
According to a new report by SignalFire, a venture capital firm that tracks workforce trends, entry-level hiring at Big Tech companies has dropped by over 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Today, tech firms are prioritising experienced professionals who can contribute immediately.
The Decline of Youth-Centric Hiring
For years, Silicon Valley was synonymous with youth.
Startups and tech giants often relied on young, inexperienced workers with long hours and big dreams.
But in today’s AI-driven environment, that model is shifting.
Fresh graduates now face the most challenging job market the tech industry has seen in decades.
SignalFire reports that new grads make up just 7% of hires in Big Tech — down significantly since 2019.
At startups, that figure is even lower at under 6%.
Startups Want Autonomy, Not Training
With limited budgets and shrinking teams, startups no longer have the luxury of training junior staff.
Heather Doshay of SignalFire explains that companies are focused on high return-on-investment hires.
They are looking for “autonomous doers” — experienced professionals who need minimal supervision and can hit the ground running.
AI as the Catalyst for Change
AI isn’t the only reason for this hiring shift, but it’s a major force behind it.
Tasks once given to junior developers are now automated.
Crafting effective prompts, debugging AI-generated code, and scaling AI tools require deep expertise — not just a college degree.
SignalFire’s data shows the average age of tech hires has increased by three years since 2021.
The Experience Paradox
This shift has created what SignalFire calls the “experience paradox.”
Companies want junior hires to have experience — but don’t offer the opportunities to gain it.
Even top graduates from elite universities are struggling to find roles.
The percentage of these grads joining companies like Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Google has dropped by more than half since 2022.
A Cultural Transformation in Silicon Valley
The industry’s evolution isn’t just technical — it’s cultural.
Where the tech world once idolised youthful energy, it now values proven skill.
Risk appetite has declined, and venture capital is harder to secure.
As a result, companies are hiring fewer full-time juniors and increasingly turning to part-time experts, like fractional CTOs and CMOs, to meet specific needs without blowing their budgets.
A Tougher Path for Young Professionals
For young people looking to enter the tech world, the path is no longer straightforward.
A university degree alone is not enough.
Success today may require bootcamp training, open-source projects, freelancing, and fluency with AI tools.
Creativity, persistence, and adaptability are essential for breaking into the industry.
The Long-Term Risk of Cutting Junior Roles
While focusing on senior talent makes sense in the short term, it comes with a long-term risk.
Neglecting early-career professionals could weaken the tech industry’s future pipeline.
AI may fill gaps now, but the next generation of innovators still needs nurturing.
Without junior hires, the foundations of tomorrow’s technology may be at risk.
The Future of Tech Hiring
The mythology of youth in tech isn’t dead — but it is being rewritten.
AI is pushing companies to rethink their hiring strategies.
And as Marcelino Abad quietly celebrates 124 years of life in Peru, the tech industry races ahead into an uncertain, AI-driven future.
