The Indicator from Planet Money How AI is shrinking the job market for teens
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Jan 9, 2026 
Karissa Tang, a driven 17-year-old high school senior from California, delves into her original research on how AI is reshaping job opportunities for teens. Triggered by her aunt's boba shop not hiring teenagers, she forecasts a chilling 27% decline in teen jobs by 2030, with cashiers facing the brunt. Karissa explores safer roles that require interpersonal skills and advocates for educational reforms like critical thinking and digital literacy to help students adapt to this evolving landscape.
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Boba Shop Sparked A Research Project
- Karissa Tang discovered her aunt's boba shop no longer needed teen workers because AI-powered kiosks replaced counter roles.
- That observation sparked Karissa's broader research into AI's impact on typical teen jobs.
Data-Driven Look At Top Teen Jobs
- Karissa used BLS data to list the top 10 jobs for 16–19-year-olds, with cashier as number one at ~13%.
- She then researched specific AI tech that could displace each of those roles.
Projected Decline In Teen Employment
- Karissa found cashier jobs are the most exposed with a projected 54% decline by 2030.
- Her overall estimate predicts a 27% decline in teen jobs nationwide by 2030 due to AI adoption.