Gen Z Is Jobless

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Young people — especially college grads — face an extremely punishing job market.

The Big Picture: The pool of available jobs, especially those that require a college degree, is shrinking. Over 40% of college graduates in their early- to mid-20s are working jobs that don’t require a college degree, and one in five job seekers are long-term unemployed — and these problems are only getting worse.

Between the Lines: Gen Z’s unemployment problem has many causes.

Exit Interview: While some generations have faced similarly bleak prospects (like Gen X in the mid-70s and millennials in 2008), Gen Z’s high unemployment rate for graduates is new. And while DOGE is already reversing some of its cuts, the other forces destabilizing the job market don’t have clear solutions, leaving many young people with a cynical attitude about meritocracy and work.

Prediction: Expect Gen Z to shift their priorities even further away from an ambitious, pro-work culture that neither serves them nor rewards their efforts.

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OpenAI and Mattel have announced a new partnership that means to bring generative AI to toymaking.

The Big Play: While OpenAI has partnered with major news publishers, governments, and big tech companies, they’ve never teamed up with a toymaker before. This deal feels only natural for two companies with ambitious expansion goals — but it raises questions about whether we’re on the verge of getting a sentient Barbie.

Between the Lines: Mattel and OpenAI expect to roll out their first collaborative offering later this year.

Conclusion: Ever since Mattel’s blockbuster hit with 2023’s Barbie, the company has launched an aggressive content creation campaign with films and TV shows based on Mattel products like Barney, Hot Wheels, and Polly Pocket. Given this and the vagueness of the OpenAI partnership, it’s possible that Mattel will lean on the tech to accelerate scriptwriting and animation, as well as brainstorm new doll concepts — rather than merge Barbie directly with ChatGPT.

Prediction: Keep an eye out for more partnerships between the nonprofit-controlled AI company and brands that initially seem like strange bedfellows — as even legacy companies are eager to tap into generative AI to innovate and stay culturally relevant.

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55.5% of you voted Yes in yesterday’s poll: Would you be more open to ads if they came with rewards or perks?

“Perks and incentives are always welcome.”

“But they must be clear and near immediately tangible.”

“No, I have enough rewards offers that don’t make me watch ads!”

“If they need perks and rewards to sell you, they probably aren’t worth as much as the perks and rewards.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🎥 Universal Music is partnering with Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell in an effort to further monetize its celebrity clients.

📺 Tubi is teaming up with Kickstarter to spotlight films backed by the fundraising platform. 

🎮 The video game actors’ strike has ended following a deal with game studios over the use of generative AI.

📞 After years of hints, Meta is now running ads on Whatsapp through a Stories-esque feature. 

🧬 23andMe’s former cofounder and CEO has bought the bankrupted company for $305 million after Regeneron submitted a $256 million bid.

📱 President Trump’s sons have unveiled plans to launch their own US-made smartphone and cell service called Trump Mobile.

🎯 Target is testing new tactics to attract as many customers as its competitors.

✏️ Generative AI may be destroying many design jobs, but plenty are still out there.

🤝 The Trump administration’s escalating ICE raids are forcing fashion companies to create plans to support their workforce.