Figma CEO Dylan Field on AI and Hiring Young Workers

In a labor market marked by stagnation and uncertainty, one tech leader is placing his bets on a specific demographic: young professionals. Figma CEO Dylan Field recently shared his perspective on the evolving hiring landscape, revealing a distinct preference for junior talent.

His reasoning centers on the rise of artificial intelligence. Field argues that younger workers possess an inherent advantage in the AI era, a factor that could reshape how companies approach recruitment in the coming years.

Field addressed the topic during a recent appearance on the "In Good Company" podcast, produced by Norges Bank Investment Management. He framed the impact of AI on hiring as a "critical" debate currently unfolding within the software industry.

The central question, according to Field, is whether companies should prioritize senior, middle, or junior-level talent in an AI-driven world. He directly challenged the narrative that AI will render all entry-level positions obsolete.

"Does AI mean that you should hire senior people or middle-level, or junior, or are all the jobs going to go away because AI will replace them all?" Field asked. "I've heard that last one a bunch of times, and it hasn't come true yet. All the people have said that. They continue to hire."

Field's hiring philosophy is rooted in the concept of being an "AI native." He believes younger professionals have a natural fluency with artificial intelligence that older employees must actively cultivate.

This inherent understanding gives them a competitive edge in the recruitment process. Field noted that while Figma has always hired a mix of ages, the requirement for AI proficiency is becoming non-negotiable.

"My bias actually is a lot more toward the junior folks, and I think people that are younger are AI native in a way that folks that are older have to learn," Field said.

The 34-year-old billionaire CEO emphasized that his company is fully committed to this technological shift. He views AI not as a threat to employment, but as a fundamental skill set for the future.

Field's comments arrive as young professionals face a challenging economic environment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its final jobs report for 2025 in December, which economists described as stagnant.

Job growth has been uneven, and the rapid integration of AI has introduced further instability. Many companies are betting that AI can handle tasks traditionally assigned to entry-level workers, leading some economists to predict a slowdown in hiring for recent graduates.

However, Field's outlook diverges from this trend. He views AI as a tool that enhances human capability rather than replaces it. His confidence in the continued need for human talent suggests a different path forward for the tech industry.

For Field, the transition to an AI-centric workflow is already underway at Figma. The company, which competes directly with Adobe in the design software space, is actively building for the AI age.

He made it clear that candidates who are skeptical of AI's role in the industry may not be a good fit for his team. Passion for the technology is now a key criterion for employment.

"I think that it is important that people come in, first of all, knowing that we're pushing full steam ahead into the AI era," Field stated. "So, if you have a bias against AI, that's a great dinner-table conversation between us, but we're very focused on making sure that we build for this AI age."

This stance signals a broader shift in the tech sector, where adaptability and forward-thinking skills are becoming as valuable as traditional experience.

Dylan Field's perspective offers a counter-narrative to prevailing anxieties about AI and employment. By championing the "AI native" qualities of younger workers, he highlights a potential pathway for navigating the current job market.

His comments suggest that the future of hiring may prioritize adaptability and technological fluency over years of experience. As the industry continues to evolve, Field's focus on building for the AI age could serve as a blueprint for other companies facing similar challenges.