Reddit to 'go heavy' on hiring AI native graduates

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has announced that the platform will "go heavy" on hiring new college graduates, despite widespread industry concerns that artificial intelligence may render entry-level roles obsolete.

Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Huffman argued that the current generation of students possesses a unique advantage as they have "learned how to program with AI."

He suggests that these candidates are "AI native" and significantly more productive than their predecessors, making them a vital asset for the company’s future growth.

The decision comes at a challenging time for young professionals, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.4%.

While some tech leaders have cautioned that AI could replace half of white-collar entry-level jobs within five years, Huffman maintains that increased productivity will simply lead to more ambitious projects.

He remarked: “Let's say AI makes our engineers 50%, 100% or even 10x more productive. We'll just build more stuff. Not do the same amount with less.”

The company has established a dedicated Emerging Talent team to focus on recruiting young professionals across several key departments.

Huffman emphasised that failing to secure top-tier graduates early in their careers is a missed opportunity for any firm.

He noted: “The best new grads, if you don't hire them as new grads, you will never see them. They will never be on the job market again. They're too valuable to ever let them be on the job market.”