Leila Albakova (18), a final-year student at Eiker upper secondary school, is considering economics or health but worries about AI replacing jobs. According to NRK Buskerud, she described wanting a secure job. Jonas Mjøberg (19) is unsure due to world events and AI, while Mirnes Sumbuljevic (19) is set on engineering at NTNU, applying for computer technology and cybersecurity.
All three have concerns about the future labor market, AI, and global direction. Jonas and Leila are considering a gap year if they cannot decide. Mirnes started planning in upper secondary and is ready to move to Trondheim with his twin brother.
The typical concern is that they don't know what they want, and that they are afraid of making the wrong choice.
University lecturer Anne Holm-Nordhagen at the University of South-Eastern Norway told NRK Buskerud that young people's main concerns are not knowing what they want and fear of making the wrong choice. She said today's many options make it harder, but the flexible education and labor system offers opportunities to adjust. She believes most will choose based on their interests despite AI concerns.
At an education fair in Lillestrøm, Lara (18) and Rosell (18) from Blindern upper secondary school said they want to work with something that makes a difference. According to NRK Kultur, Rosell described ChatGPT as making students lazy, with many struggling to write a 200-word essay. Lara said many use AI to improve grades, which is unfair to those who put in effort.
It can be difficult to know what you envision the future will bring. It can be difficult to know what you want to spend your working life on.
Edvard Engelbrekt (19) and Daniella Sekulic (18) attend social science with behavioral science focus. According to Mitti, Edvard is considering law and has self-employment backup plans, finding AI scary. Daniella wants to become a social worker, believing AI cannot replace the understanding and sympathy required.
Edvard said all students are worried regardless of profession, and he plans a gap year. AI's impact on education and career choices is a major concern. ChatGPT launched in autumn 2022.
Young people today will have many opportunities to adjust their course in the future, and that's because we have such a flexible education and working life.
According to NRK Kultur, AI expert Lars Rinnan said the workplace will need human qualities. The Ung-rapporten from Opinion found 25% of students believe AI will give them more educational opportunities, while 14% may reconsider their choices due to AI. SSB data shows 70% of 16-24-year-olds used AI for education in 2025, down 10% from the previous year for that age group, compared to 22% among 25-34-year-olds.
In the US, Josephine Timperman at Miami University switched from business analytics to marketing due to AI concerns, according to The Independent - Main. She described fears that entry-level jobs will be taken by AI and emphasized building critical thinking and interpersonal skills. A 2025 Harvard Kennedy School poll found about 70% of college students see AI as a threat to job prospects.
It has been uncertain and difficult to predict the future before as well, without it necessarily ruining things for people.
S. workers increasingly concerned about being replaced, with 48% of Gen Z workers worried. A Quinnipiac poll found most Americans believe college students should be taught how to use AI.
Gallup found AI adoption higher in tech fields, while health care and natural sciences may be less impacted. Courtney Brown, vice president at Lumina, told The Independent - Main that it is startling that so many students cite AI as a reason for changing majors. Ungdomsbarometern's generationsrapport 2026 indicates young people worry about AI's impact on education, career, and future.
The workplace will need your human qualities.
Research and Higher Education Minister Sigrun Aasland (Ap) told NRK Kultur that technology offers enormous opportunities but expressed concern about lack of knowledge on how to use it. She encouraged young people to pursue higher education, noting that jobs will change and society will face labor shortages in several professions. She emphasized that the biggest need is still competent people despite technological changes.
ChatGPT has made us lazy. Many students struggle with doing the basics like writing a 200-word essay.
Working life and jobs will change, and society will have a shortage of people in several professions.
We are facing major technological and demographic changes in Norway. Most sectors, like the health sector, will have to use new technology to handle the changes, but there is no doubt that the biggest need is still competent people.
Everyone has a fear that entry-level jobs will be taken by AI.
You don't just want to be able to code. You want to be able to have a conversation, form relationships and be able to think critically, because at the end of the day, that's the thing that AI can't replace.
We see students all the time change majors. That’s not new or different. But it’s usually for a ton of different reasons. The fact that so many students say it’s because of AI — that is startling.