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Wed, 04 Nov 2026

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 Graduates are managing AI - but are they learning much else?

Graduates are spending more time managing AI, but are they missing out on other work experience?
Recent graduates are finding themselves managing AI agents and developing skills in AI, rather than focusing on traditional graduate roles. Lotte Underwood, 25, works as an "AI associate" at London-based PR agency Fight or Flight, where she manages around 30 AI agents that perform tasks such as industry research, client reporting, media interview preparation, and image generation. Another graduate, Dillan Patel, developed an internal chatbot at Stride, the engineering software company he works for. He now works as an AI automation analyst, tasked with developing further internal agents to provide specific information to teams. Debra Maxwell, CEO of ArvatoConnect, plans to resume her graduate intake next year with a bigger focus on AI. She believes that graduates should be able to challenge the organization and think holistically about where AI can be applied. Research from consultancy PwC found that some graduate roles are assuming more responsibilities due to AI, allowing companies to demand more senior abilities from junior hires. Some graduates feel that their work with AI has made them feel less like a traditional graduate and more like an equal team member. Cian Clinton uses around 10 AI agents daily for different tasks and believes that his career progression will be faster as a result of his work with AI. However, some experts question whether graduate roles that are too focused on AI can provide long-term career progression. They believe that graduates need to couple their AI skills with sector knowledge in order to succeed in their careers.