Airbnb Inc. (ABNB) CEO Brian Chesky is raising an uncomfortable question about the AI revolution: If we automate away all the entry-level jobs, where exactly will tomorrow's leaders come from?

Speaking with ABC News, Chesky put it bluntly: "We need to make room for people early in their careers, even if AI can do the interns' work." Sure, artificial intelligence can handle plenty of junior-level tasks. But companies that shut out young workers today are essentially guaranteeing they won't have experienced leaders a decade from now.

The Entry-Level Job Market Is Vanishing

This isn't just theoretical hand-wringing. Major tech players like Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Meta Platforms Inc. (META), and Salesforce Inc. (CRM) have been cutting headcount while simultaneously investing heavily in AI and automation. And the roles getting hit hardest? You guessed it — the entry-level positions where Gen Z would normally get their start.

The numbers tell a stark story. According to a September study from HR services firm Randstad, job postings for roles requiring zero to two years of experience have fallen by 29 percentage points since January 2024. That's not a minor dip — it's a collapse in opportunities for new graduates trying to get a foot in the door.

Employers are increasingly automating routine tasks, which makes hiring managers think twice about bringing in junior staff. Internships are dwindling, too, eliminating the hands-on learning opportunities that used to serve as the traditional pipeline into full-time roles.

AI Isn't Magic, Leadership Still Matters

Chesky doesn't buy into the hype that AI will simply replace humans wholesale. "Leadership is still going to matter," he told ABC News. "I think AI is mostly going to be a tool. I don't think it's magic."

He's got a point. While the technology is undeniably powerful, leadership demands qualities that no algorithm can replicate — empathy, nuanced communication, creative problem-solving. Those are human skills, developed through experience and mentorship, not downloaded from a training dataset.

But here's the problem: Gen Z workers are averaging just 1.1 years of tenure during their first five years in the workforce, according to Randstad's research. That's dramatically shorter than previous generations managed. When young professionals bounce around that quickly — often because stable entry-level positions don't exist — they miss out on the mentorship and long-term development that traditionally builds future leaders.

A Looming Talent Pipeline Crisis

If entry-level roles continue disappearing, companies are going to face a serious shortage of qualified leaders down the line. Randstad's data shows junior job openings have plummeted across key sectors: down 35% in technology, 25% in logistics, and 24% in finance.

Those figures validate exactly what Chesky is warning about. When you eliminate opportunities for interns and new graduates, you're not just solving a short-term efficiency problem — you're creating a long-term talent crisis. There's no one left to train for senior positions.

As Chesky explained: "[AI] can do a lot of lower-level, more entry-level position jobs. But if no young people can get jobs, then you have no one in the future to do the highly strategic leadership positions."

The logic is straightforward, even if the solution isn't. Yes, AI can handle routine tasks that used to go to junior employees. But companies that optimize purely for today's efficiency might find themselves scrambling for experienced leadership tomorrow — because they never invested in developing the next generation.