International Business Machines Corp. is bucking industry trends by announcing plans to triple its entry-level hiring in the US for 2026, repositioning junior roles to leverage artificial intelligence for routine tasks while emphasizing higher-value work like customer interactions.
The expansion, revealed by IBM’s chief human resources officer Nickle LaMoreaux at Charter’s Leading With AI Summit in New York on February 11, 2026, will span a wide range of departments without disclosing specific hiring numbers. “And yes, it’s for all these jobs that we’re being told AI can do,” LaMoreaux said, highlighting how the company overhauled entry-level job descriptions to convince business leaders of the value in recruiting amid AI’s rise.
In software development, junior hires now spend less time on routine coding, which AI handles, and more on customer-facing work. Similarly, entry-level HR staffers intervene when departmental chatbots fall short, correcting outputs and engaging directly with managers. “The entry-level jobs that you had two to three years ago, AI can do most of them,” LaMoreaux explained, noting the need for “totally different jobs” to justify the investment.
This initiative comes as AI’s rise has led to broader cutbacks in entry-level positions across tech, with many firms like Salesforce pausing hiring due to productivity gains from tools. IBM’s strategy reflects a belief that AI augments rather than replaces human roles at the entry level, potentially offering a model for other companies navigating the tech talent squeeze.
Rivals like Microsoft and Google have also ramped up AI-focused hiring but with mixed signals on entry-level roles, while startups adapt by emphasizing specialized skills; IBM’s triple-down could signal a rebound for new grads in a market where AI is reshaping the entry point.
