Another uncomfortable truth is emerging in the age of artificial intelligence (AI): for today’s recent college graduates, technological change really may be “different this time”—and not in their favor. While AI promises massive advances and enormous valuations—Anthropic was valued near $170b just six years after founding, and xAI is in talks for $200b—its disruptive impact is felt far beyond Silicon Valley’s boardrooms.

High-Powered AI Growth — and Surging Compensation

There’s no question AI is here to stay. Top leaders in tech are reaping unprecedented rewards, like Apple’s head of AI models reportedly landing a pay package north of $200m at Meta. The world’s business titans are bracing for an “AI tidal wave,” rapidly shifting corporate priorities and talent strategies. But the surge is not lifting all boats. Entry-level talent, especially those newly minted with degrees from prestigious universities, are encountering turbulence the likes of which hasn’t been seen in decades.

Unemployment Trends: College Graduates in Uncharted Waters

Historically, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates in the United States has been lower than for the general population. Yet, for the first time in 45+ years, that relationship has reversed: recent grads now face higher unemployment than the broader workforce. As Oxford Economics’ Matthew Martin notes, “higher educational attainment” no longer guarantees better job prospects. For graduates like Tiffany Lee (Cornell, information science and psychology) and Jacob Ayoub (Boston College, economics and finance), who secured excellent grades and coveted internships, landing a full-time role remains elusive.

Why Are Entry-Level Jobs So Hard to Find?

Graduates are applying for hundreds of jobs—sometimes with little response. In fields like tech and finance, entry-level positions are particularly scarce, with job postings down 21% from pre-pandemic levels, according to Indeed data. Many roles now require 2-3 years of experience even at the supposed entry point, creating a Catch-22 for newcomers.

The reasons are multi-layered:

• The post-pandemic hiring surge has subsided, leading to an overall cooler labor market.
• AI adoption is rapidly accelerating, particularly in tech, where 25% of businesses now regularly use AI, compared to a national average of 5%.
• Sectors traditionally seen as “safe bets” for high-achieving grads—tech, finance, law—are at the forefront of automation and process reengineering.

AI’s impact is direct: Anthropic’s CEO predicts it could “wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs.”

Shifting Opportunities: Who’s at Risk, Who’s Protected

The challenges aren’t distributed evenly. Data reveals men are more likely to struggle: they gravitate toward computer science and tech roles, which face shrinking opportunities. In contrast, women are more often moving into healthcare and education, fields with robust demand (over 40% of female graduates enter these sectors, compared to just 5% of males in healthcare).

What Can Today’s Graduates Do?

The advice from business leaders is clear—stay flexible and build the skills AI cannot easily replace:

• Critical thinking and judgment.
• Broad-based learning in the humanities.
• Interpersonal skills and creative problem-solving.

These “human” attributes are likely to remain in demand, even as AI reshapes the world of work. “Judgment is not going out of style,” says Centerview Partners’ Blair Effron.

Yet, for those in the thick of the search, the long-term promise of AI seems remote in the face of immediate frustration. Many are now weighing costly graduate degrees simply to compete for jobs that once required only a bachelor’s, and questioning whether the system is broken—or whether the rules themselves have changed.

Bottom Line

College graduates did everything right, yet the world shifted underneath them. The AI era is rewriting the rules—fast. Those able to adapt, broaden their skillset, and leverage their uniquely human strengths will be the ones best positioned to ride the next wave, whatever shape it takes. For now, flexibility and resilience are the keys in a workplace transformed by artificial intelligence.

A 28-year-old software developer from Atlanta named Marcus woke up alone in a trashed hotel room nearly 2,000 miles from home with no memory of the previous night. His wallet, expensive watch, and personal belongings were gone, and the hotel safe’s door was left wide open and empty. A metallic taste in his mouth, severe headache, and stomach cramps signaled something far worse than a typical hangover. Faint memories surfaced—a woman named Camila, clicking high heels, rapid Spanish—and the terrifying reality began to emerge.

Marcus’s story is not just a tale of personal misfortune but a wake-up call about a growing global danger intertwined with loneliness, digital influence, and romance tourism. After repeated rejection and a sense of social isolation at home, Marcus was lured abroad by glossy influencer videos showcasing young Western men finding easy romance in exotic locations like Medellín, Colombia. These videos, alongside addictive online communities such as the “Passport Bros,” paint an alluring but dangerously misleading picture of finding love and validation overseas.

In reality, an exploitative industry is thriving on this vulnerability. Women like Camila present themselves as romantic guides but are often part of networks using a potent and secretive drug called scopolamine, known locally as “devil’s breath.” This tasteless, odorless substance can be blown into a victim’s face or slipped into drinks, causing zombie-like compliance by blocking neurotransmitters responsible for memory formation. Victims lose their ability to form new memories, comply with thieves without resistance, and wake hours or days later with no recollection of events, often robbed of everything valuable.

The US State Department estimates around 50,000 scopolamine cases yearly in Colombia alone, with local police reporting attacks every 10 hours in cities like Bogotá. Small gangs and micro cartels operate extensively, turning male loneliness into a profitable and dangerous criminal economy. Tragic cases include tourists disappearing or dying after falling victim to similar schemes.

The broader context reveals a crisis of connection in the West—social isolation, repeated rejection, and loneliness drive men like Marcus to seek love in places where dating feels more accessible or traditional. Influencers fuel this by promoting idealized and often false narratives, masking the risks behind enticing facades. The rising phenomenon of romance tourism, seen not just in Colombia but also in cities worldwide, exploits this void, leading to devastating consequences.

Beyond the personal stories, scopolamine itself is a powerful muscarinic receptor antagonist that impairs various memory types, attention, and cognition. Its pharmacological effects include severe amnesia and slowed reaction times, which criminals exploit to incapacitate and rob victims. Awareness of these effects is vital for travelers and those navigating the complex, often dark world where desire for connection meets predation.

Marcus’s ordeal, and those like him, reveal how today’s male loneliness and the modern dating crisis have spawned an entire ecosystem—from digital influencers to local crime networks—that turns hopeful romantics into prey. This reality demands urgent reflection on the emotional and social fractures in Western societies and highlights the dire consequences of seeking human connection through deceptive, dangerous means.

Ultimately, the hardest lesson Marcus—and all of us—must learn is this: sometimes, when you think you are the customer, you are actually the product being sold. This alarming truth urges us to wake up to the realities behind the glossy images, to address the root causes of loneliness at home, and to approach the search for love with eyes wide open to both opportunity and peril.

Marrying a U.S. citizen has never automatically triggered a green card, but in 2025, the U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps to make the marriage-based residency process much stricter. If you’re considering this path, it’s critical to understand the significant changes and heightened scrutiny now shaping the journey from “I do” to permanent residency.

Increased Scrutiny on Marriage Fraud

The core reason for these changes is the government’s ongoing battle against immigration fraud. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), fake marriages remain one of the most common — and most aggressively prosecuted — forms of immigration fraud. This year, agencies have made clear that only genuine, legally recognized marriages will clear the hurdles for lawful permanent resident (green card) status. Sham marriages, or those arranged for immigration benefits rather than a bona fide relationship, are targeted for detailed investigation and potential deportation.

Step-by-Step: The Marriage-Based Green Card Process in 2025

1. No More “Automatic” Green Cards
   • Marrying a U.S. citizen is only the first step. You must apply for a green card through a legal process that now requires extensive evidence your relationship is real and ongoing.
2. Form and Filing Changes
   • In 2025, USCIS strictly enforces new editions of application forms — for adjustment of status (Form I-485), fiancé visas (Form I-129F), and petitions for relatives (Form I-130). Submitting even a single outdated page can trigger outright rejection, costing precious time and money.
3. Evidence Requirements Have Tightened
   • Officials now demand clear, comprehensive proof of a genuine marital relationship. Examples include:
     • Joint bank accounts and tax returns
     • Shared leases, mortgages, or utility bills
     • Records of travel together
     • Messages, photos, and affidavits from friends/family
   • Simple wedding photos are no longer enough; fraud detection officers receive specialized training to spot faked documents and inconsistencies.

1. Conditional Green Card—Not Permanent Right Away
   • If your marriage is less than 2 years old at the time of approval, you’ll be issued a conditional green card(“CR1”).
   • This allows you to live and work in the U.S. for 2 years, but it is a probationary period. Within the 90 days before the card expires, you and your spouse must jointly petition (Form I-751) to remove the conditions and receive a full, 10-year green card.
   • During this step, you must prove once again that the marriage remains genuine and was not entered into solely for immigration benefits. Failing to file, provide sufficient evidence, missing deadlines, or getting divorced before the end of this period can result in denial, deportation, or a permanent ban on reapplying.
2. More Enforcement, More Risk
   • Immigration officers have increased discretion to deny applications without warning, especially if they detect any red flags: previous suspicious filings, glaring age/cultural differences without supporting evidence, financial inconsistencies, or inconsistent answers during interviews.
   • If your case is flagged as potentially fraudulent, you could be placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

What Happens if the Marriage Ends?

• Waivers are available if the marriage ends due to divorce or abuse, but the applicant must convincingly prove the marriage began in good faith, not to circumvent immigration laws.
• If USCIS determines the relationship was fake or evidence is lacking, the applicant could face deportation and a lifetime ban from reapplying.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

U.S. authorities say these reforms are a response to a real increase in attempted marriage fraud and the proliferation of “sham marriage” schemes. Recent years have seen several high-profile criminal cases and coordinated investigations. Protecting the legitimacy and security of the green card system has become a key national priority.

Key Takeaways for 2025 Applicants

• Double-check all form editions and instructions before filing applications — even minor paperwork errors can now cost you your chance.
• Prepare extensive evidence of a real, ongoing relationship. Start gathering financial records, joint leases, messages, travel documents, and third-party affidavits early.
• Take conditional status seriously. Mark your calendar—with the stricter environment, missing even a procedural step could be disastrous.
• Seek legal guidance if your circumstances are complex or you’ve faced any prior visa or immigration denials.

In short: Marrying a U.S. citizen in 2025 does not guarantee a green card. The process involves a two-year conditional period, multiple rounds of documentation, and close scrutiny to combat fraud. Real relationships, thorough preparation, and meticulous paperwork are essential to success in the new system.