Even the world’s richest families are increasingly anxious about whether their Gen Z children will be able to secure and retain stable jobs in an economy being reshaped by artificial intelligence, changing hiring patterns and shrinking entry-level opportunities.
According to US-based wealth advisors, parents with net worths ranging from $100 million to more than $1 billion are watching their children — typically aged between 22 and 35 — struggle in sectors once considered safe, including technology, law and healthcare. Roles that historically served as career launchpads are being automated or consolidated, making it harder for young professionals to gain a foothold.
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“Not the same game anymore”
Wealth manager Patrick Dwyer said ultra-high-net-worth families are realising that the career landscape their children face is fundamentally different from the one that created their own wealth. Even prestigious degrees no longer guarantee stable employment, as AI increasingly handles tasks traditionally assigned to junior staff.
Another advisor noted that while billionaires have the financial resources to support their children, they are uncertain about what non-financial factors — such as resilience, adaptability and purpose — are needed for long-term success. The concern is less about money and more about whether the next generation can build independent, meaningful careers.
Rethinking inheritance and support
The shift is forcing wealthy families to reconsider how and when they transfer wealth. Some are planning to pass on larger portions earlier in life to give their children greater “agency” — the ability to choose careers, retrain, start businesses or take risks without relying on unstable job markets.
Advisors say parents are also preparing for scenarios in which their adult children may need multiple career transitions, mid-career retraining or may never become fully financially self-sustaining in the traditional sense.
AI reducing junior roles
One of the biggest structural changes is the decline of entry-level positions. AI tools are now capable of performing research, drafting documents, coding basic software and analysing data — tasks that once trained young professionals. Without these stepping-stone roles, career progression is becoming less linear and more uncertain.
A universal parental concern
Despite their wealth, billionaires share the same core worry as middle-class families: whether their children will be able to lead purposeful, independent lives. Advisors emphasise that financial security alone does not guarantee motivation, work ethic or career direction.
Skills over credentials
The changing environment is pushing families to prioritise:
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Emotional resilience and self-discipline
- Real-world experience over credentials
These traits are increasingly seen as more valuable than elite degrees alone.
Broader implications
The trend reflects a wider transformation in the global labour market, where lifelong employment in a single profession is becoming rare. Instead, portfolio careers, project-based work and periodic reskilling are expected to become the norm.
For India and other emerging economies with large youth populations, similar concerns are likely to grow as AI adoption expands and traditional white-collar career paths become more competitive.
Overall, the message from wealth managers is clear: in the age of AI, even vast inherited wealth cannot replace the need for adaptability, purpose and continuously evolving skills — and the next generation will have to redefine what career success looks like.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
