IBM plans to triple entry-level hiring in the United States in 2026, according to Bloomberg reporting. Nickle LaMoreaux, IBM’s chief human resource officer, announced the initiative at Charter’s Leading with AI Summit on Tuesday. The plan addresses jobs that artificial intelligence is said to perform, through revised job descriptions.
LaMoreaux confirmed the scope of the hiring during her summit presentation. “And yes, it’s for all these jobs that we’re being told AI can do,” she said. This approach counters industry claims that AI will eliminate entry-level positions, as IBM commits to expanding such roles despite technological advancements.
The entry-level jobs differ from previous offerings at IBM. LaMoreaux reviewed and altered the job descriptions to reduce emphasis on tasks AI can automate, such as coding. Instead, the positions now prioritize human interaction areas, including customer engagement. These changes shift focus from routine, programmable duties to interpersonal responsibilities.
IBM’s strategy develops workers with limited experience. By hiring at entry level, the company equips these employees with skills required for advanced roles later. This pipeline approach ensures a supply of qualified candidates for senior positions as business needs evolve.
IBM provided no specific figure for the number of hires under this initiative.
A 2025 MIT study calculated that 11.7% of jobs could already be automated by AI. The analysis examined existing AI capabilities across various sectors, highlighting the extent of current automation potential in the workforce.
A TechCrunch survey revealed that multiple investors anticipate 2026 as the year when AI’s effects on the labor market become evident. Respondents offered this view without direct prompting on labor topics, indicating broader expectations around AI’s economic influence.
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