U.S. IT Job Market Shrinks—AI Taking Over Entry-Level Roles, Leaving Thousands Unemployed!

According to a new report by Janco Associates, many Information Technology (IT) experts in the United States are unemployed because the job market has shrunk by 22,300 positions last year. This is the second year of decline of IT jobs, with about 70,900 IT jobs being eliminated in the past two years. There has only been a 1.87% increase in median salaries of IT pros, amidst the inflation rate being 2.9%. The report was based on official data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which found that there was a loss of 5,700 positions in the IT job market in December 2024 alone. Security professionals are the most in-demand IT position right now.

In 2023, there was a loss of 48,600 IT workers in the IT job market which shows that decline was somewhat slower in 2024. In the US, the national average for unemployment rate is 4.1% while the unemployment rate among IT professionals is 3.9% with more than 4.16 million Americans working in IT fields.

Another report by Layoffs.fyi found out that 2,000 IT companies laid off 270,000 employees in 2023 while 152,000 employees were laid off by 546 tech companies (Tesla, Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Amazon, Intel and others) in 2024.

The estimates by Janco shows that the IT job market is going to shrink in the next upcoming months, while most small to mid-sized companies are hiring new individuals and providing more jobs. The large enterprises are more focused on AI adoption and are planning to replace low skill workers with AI for increased productivity. AI is increasingly replacing entry-level positions in the IT sector. The AI experts, technology programmers, security professionals and Internet Processing IT professionals are the only ones who were being actively sought. 63 of the companies laid off 6,300 employees in the beginning of 2023 and 1,356 of them were laid off in 2024.

There was a slight increase in mean compensation for IT professionals in 2024, with $104,517 earned on average. Trading Economics report that wages have increased 5.8% in the US in November 2024. There was a 28% increase in wages of IT professionals, from 2015 ($81,583) to 2025 ($104,517). The salary was mostly due to a 34.4% CPI increase in the US between December 2014 and December 2024.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Instagram Teases New Video-Editing App After Capcut Pulled From American App Stores

It looks like Meta is not going to let any fruitful opportunity to make more revenue go to waste, especially after the recent TikTok and CapCut ban in the US.

The company’s popular Instagram app is launching its own video editing platform and we think the timing couldn’t be more perfect. After all, many users were not happy to see CapCut be pulled out of American App Stores. So the next best alternative seems to be this.

The social media giant shared teasers for the new feature dubbed Edits which will not only be limited to editing content but also giving users an entire array of creative tools. This is especially great for those passionate about making content through their phone.

The news was confirmed by Instagram’s boss Adam Mosserri through a video post on Sunday. He shared how it was not for those making use of desktop platforms or for those searching for templates. However, it is for those who use phones to create videos in short form styles.

The matter is all the more familiar and the announcement from Mosseri arrives moments after Google and Apple tried to pull apps owned by ByteDance from American App and Play Stores. This would comply with laws that force Bytedance to be separate from its apps so they could be sold to American-owned companies.

So far, no sale has been announced so both these apps went dark on Sunday as they could be risking fines that could go up to $5,000 for each user. While we did see TikTok return after a little promise made by Donald Trump to ensure another deal would be finalized that protects users’ safety, no use was shared about CapCut’s return.

For now, Instagram is staying silent on the TikTok-related drama. It only shared how a lot of things are going on right now in the world. Still, it shared how the need for creative and robust tools for editing content was in demand. This isn’t only for content to be published on Instagram but all other apps out there today.

Mosseri did not shy away from teasing a few features coming soon to Edits. This entails another dedicated tab that’s reserved for trending audio and one for inspiring ideas. There’s even one reserved for better camera quality, tracking down ideas, and sharing drafts with others. If that’s not enough, we’re also hearing more about Meta now going to the extent of sharing stats for all Reels content.

Read next: Are You Overpaying? FTC Exposes Shocking Truth About Surveillance Pricing
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Are You Overpaying? FTC Exposes Shocking Truth About Surveillance Pricing

The FTC is raising the curtain on a new phenomenon called surveillance pricing that makes use of personal data to show people different prices for the same products.

The data in question could be browser history, location, and simple clicks of a PC mouse too. Companies collect that information and are now using it to their advantage. Retailers end up hiring companies to switch the prices up by adding changes to the algorithm.

Instead of keeping prices all the same, they make sure the same product comes at different prices depending on the input such as consumer data and preferences. For instance, the FTC claims that profiling consumers gives them that data. If any discount is to be offered, it would again be different for all, depending on that data.

Such intermediary companies work with over 250 different clients involved in product sales and customer service. This could be a clothing designer or your local grocery store, the FTC adds. Hence, widespread adoption of such practices could upend how a client purchases the goods and how the firm is competing in the industry.

The news comes after the FTC shared in the previous year several different middlemen firms that put together computer algorithms and personal data to make tweaks to pricing. Amongst those include Bloomreach, PROS, Mastercard, Task Software, and JPMorgan Chase.

Now, the FTC is working to investigate the surveillance pricing bids as every consumer holds the right in America to know how and where their data is being used. This is why the FTC shared a public request for any comments regarding user experiences linked to surveillance pricing.

The head of the FTC says that such unfair advantages will no longer be tolerated. However, such practices are not new to the industry. We’ve seen VPNs come into play where users can alter location to low-income nations to get cheaper pricing for goods like airline tickets. Another paper published in Yale speaks about surveillance pricing actually doing the opposite and keeping prices on the lower end of the extreme but again can give rise to unfair pricing when bigger firms monopolize large data.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Trump’s Executive Order Delays TikTok’s Ban, Fueling Debate on Free Expression
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Trump’s Executive Order Delays TikTok’s Ban, Fueling Debate on Free Expression

TikTok, a widely popular short-video platform, is navigating a turbulent landscape in the United States following a temporary shutdown and ongoing legal battles. ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, voluntarily suspended U.S. operations before a January 19 deadline imposed by a congressional law mandating divestiture. While the app has started restoring service, its availability remains restricted across app stores.

Trump's Intervention and Executive Order Promise

President-elect Donald Trump pledged to delay the ban through an executive order, citing a strong commitment to free expression and economic growth. Trump expressed intentions for the U.S. to secure a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture, emphasizing TikTok's potential value in trillions. However, the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the law, asserting national security concerns tied to TikTok's data collection practices and links to China.

Restoration Efforts Amidst Legal Complexities

TikTok announced its service restoration "in agreement" with providers such as Oracle and Akamai, relying on assurances of immunity from liability under the ban. Despite this, the app remains inaccessible on major platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play, with messages referencing compliance with U.S. legal requirements. The platform's future hinges on negotiations, executive actions, or potential legislative changes.

Image: @Joey_Mele1 / X

User Migration and Market Shifts

The uncertainty surrounding TikTok has driven users to alternative apps, including RedNote and Lemon8, which saw significant surges in downloads. Simultaneously, VPN services experienced a spike as users sought ways to bypass restrictions. However, TikTok's unique algorithm and community-driven interaction remain unmatched, leaving users and creators reassessing their options. Many are contemplating reduced screen time or shifts to other established platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Creators Face Economic and Strategic Challenges

Content creators, reliant on TikTok for engagement and monetization, confront dilemmas about diversifying their platforms. Some express skepticism about new entrants like RedNote, citing fewer monetization opportunities. Others view the ban as an opportunity to prioritize personal and professional growth over social media.

• Also read: Short-Form Video Consumption Alters Brain Structure, Affecting Emotions and Attention

Legal and Technical Complications Persist

The divest-or-ban law’s enforcement, even under a delayed timeline, presents challenges. ByteDance’s inability to sell TikTok’s algorithm, reportedly opposed by the Chinese government, complicates compliance. Experts warn that rebuilding the platform without its current algorithm could result in an entirely different user experience.

A Precarious Future for TikTok

While TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed optimism about finding a long-term solution with the incoming administration, the platform’s survival in the U.S. remains uncertain. The ongoing situation underscores broader debates on tech regulation, data security, and digital sovereignty, shaping the future of social media in the global landscape.

Read next: How Long Will Big Tech Giants Take to Pay Off $8.2 Billion in Fines?
by Asim BN via Digital Information World

Short-Form Video Consumption Alters Brain Structure, Affecting Emotions and Attention

Short form videos, like TikTok and Instagram reels, can be harmful for consumers as found in the new study which stated that watching short-form videos can increase our brain activity in regions linked to reward processing and emotional regulation. It is also linked to negative physical, psychological and social effects and they also contribute to reduced attention span in users. Most studies have talked about behavioral impacts of watching short-form videos but the biological and neurological effects of them are not studied in detail. Researchers from Tianjin Normal University studied the role of short form videos in reshaping our brains and genes that are influencing changes in our behavior.

For the study, the researchers gathered 111 college students between the ages of 17 and 30 who regularly used TikTok. Researchers used short form video platforms as a scale instead of smartphones, and dispositional envy was also measured in the participants to see how much resentment and distress they feel while comparing themselves to others. Researchers also used high resolution brain imaging data using MRI scans to see how short-form videos affect the participants neurologically. These scans were important to know about structural changes in the brain and functional activity in the brain.

The results showed that there were functional and structural differences in the brains of participants with more short-form video addiction, and there was an increase in gray matter volume in cerebellum and orbitofrontal cortex. These regions of the brain are important for decision making, processing and emotional regulations in an individual. The increased gray volume in these regions suggest heightened sensitivity to rewards which affects compulsive viewing behavior. The researchers also found that there was a heightened neural activity in posterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cerebellum and temporal pole in terms of functionality in individuals with short-form video addiction. These activities show that not only does the brain's reward system become affected, attention and emotions of the individuals do too.

The study also highlighted that individuals with more dispositional envy were more likely to be addicted to short-form video platforms. The researchers also found 500 genes which were linked to changes in the brain due to short-form video addiction. Most of the genes were expressed during adolescents which suggests that it is a vulnerable time for individuals to become addicted to short-form videos because it can affect their behavioral patterns.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: AI Chatbots Provide Non-Judgmental Mental Health Support but Struggle with Memory and Complex Issues
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Global AI Adoption Soars, but Developed Nations and Gender Gaps Pose Challenges

According to a new Google-Ipsos report, AI adoption all over the world has been increasing but there are a lot of challenges too. In emerging markets, AI is seeing a rise in its adoption but gender disparities, regional divides and slower adoption in developed countries cannot be overlooked as well. Analysts say that Google hasn't talked about these challenges in its report. Even though AI is growing, its adoption is as much in developed countries because of trust in the technology. Google report shows that 48% of the people all over the world have used generative AI last year and countries like Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa were leading in AI adoption. On the other hand, developed countries like Canada and the US are seeing less AI adoption, with only 29% of people using generative AI last year. The remaining 71% of the people in the developed regions of the world haven't used AI knowingly.

The report also found that more people are excited about AI adoption (57%) than people who are concerned about it (43%). In the prior year, the excitement and concerns about AI were evenly split. When people were asked why they are excited about AI adoption, they reasoned that AI can be a lot helpful in science (72%) and medicine (71%). Globally, 59% of the people are optimistic about AI adoption but this trend is lower in the US (52%).

There is also a gender gap in AI usage among men and women. Most of the AI users globally are men (55%), as compared to women (45%). This gender disparity is even higher in workplaces which have adopted AI, with only 41% of women being professional AI users. The report also talked about the role and adoption of AI in emerging markets. People in regions like South Africa and Nigeria are more optimistic that AI will positively affect the economies of their countries, but developed countries do not seem too optimistic about it. Emerging markets are being more enthusiastic about AI, as compared to only 53% of the Americans who think that AI will help with innovations.

People are also more appreciative of non-generative AI tools than generative AI, like AI for flood forecast, healthcare, fraud detection and other practical usage. On the other hand, generative AI is getting mixed reviews from the public. 74% of the workers all over the world are using AI professionally for a number of tasks like brainstorming, writing and problem-solving tasks. 68% of the workers between the ages of 50-74 are also using AI at work, with 67% of blue-collar workers also using AI. Overall, trust in AI is growing with 61% of the people confident that governments can regulate AI usage, which is a 4% increase in 2023. 72% of the people are also supporting collaborations between government and companies to manage AI risks.

Read next: Instagram's Three-Minute Reels Update Challenges TikTok and YouTube’s Dominance in Video Content
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Instagram's Three-Minute Reels Update Challenges TikTok and YouTube’s Dominance in Video Content

Instagram has introduced a new update for its Reels feature, allowing users to upload videos up to three minutes long. This change, aimed at providing creators with more flexibility, marks a departure from the platform's earlier focus on shorter content. Previously capped at 90 seconds, Instagram Reels now offers an extended timeframe for creators to craft more comprehensive stories or engaging clips within a single post.

This move seems to align with Instagram's broader strategy to position itself as a competitive alternative to TikTok. The latter has gained popularity for its versatile video lengths, enabling creators to share both brief and more detailed content. By increasing the time limit, Instagram appears to be enhancing its appeal among users seeking creative freedom while staying competitive with TikTok and YouTube, which recently updated its Shorts format to support three-minute videos.

Despite this update, creators face mixed guidance. Instagram has previously advised against posting videos longer than 90 seconds, citing potential negative impacts on content performance. Recent recommendations emphasized that shorter videos tend to resonate better with audiences and align with the platform's original vision for Reels as a short-form video hub. This conflicting messaging could leave creators uncertain about whether to embrace the new format fully.

While the platform has been testing longer Reels for some time, even exploring durations as long as 10 minutes with select users, the rollout of this three-minute feature may still serve as a trial to gauge user engagement and performance metrics. Whether this added flexibility will empower creators or dilute engagement remains to be seen, as success ultimately depends on the type of content shared and audience preferences.

For now, the extended time limit offers creators the option to experiment with longer Reels. However, Instagram's previous insights suggest that shorter, concise videos might still be the safer choice for maximizing reach and maintaining performance. The decision to embrace longer videos may hinge on creators' confidence in their content's ability to captivate viewers across an extended duration.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: TikTok Faces Temporary Shutdown in U.S. Amid Government Regulations, Negotiations for Return Likely
by Web Desk via Digital Information World