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The state of economic policy after Democrats' big win

New data shows labor market strength in September

A line chart that shows the monthly job openings rate from September 2023 to September 2026. The rate falls from 5.6% in September 2023 to a low of 4.0% in December 2025, then edges up to 4.5% by September 2026. Most readings in 2025 and 2026 stay between 4.1% and 4.6%.

Job openings rate

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Neil Irwin/Axios

AI job displacement is looking extra painful

Axios Live: How employers are rethinking AI's role in entry-level work

Exclusive: Americans expect a jobless AI boom

A bar chart showing the Axios-CivicScience AI Sentiment Index, based on a survey of over 7,300 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 1-26, 2026. Overall, AI sentiment in the U.S. is more negative than positive, scoring a 42 out of 100 possible points. Among the six statements that comprise the index, only "AI will lead to faster economic growth" has more positive than negative responses.

Axios-CivicScience AI Sentiment Index

Data: CivicScience; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios

Axios Live: Philadelphia leaders push to connect job growth with economic mobility

3. 🛠️ Skilled workforce is key to heartland growth

Women's jobs show greater vulnerability to AI than men's

Range chart comparing men’s and women’s estimated U.S. employment changes associated with each one-point higher AI exposure score, from 0 to 3.5. Higher scores mean AI can do or help with more tasks. Comparing 2017–2019 with January 2023–June 2026: among workers with a high school diploma or less, men’s employment increased 8.8% and women’s decreased 9.5% per point; with some college, including associate degrees, men increased 3.6% and women decreased 6%; with a four-year degree or more, men increased 0.8% and women 0.7%, neither statistically significant. The separate overall estimates are 6.3% for men and 0.2% for women. These are modeled associations, not proof AI caused the changes.

The stark gender divide in AI-exposed jobs<br>

Data: Pew Research Center. Chart: David Adkins/Axios 

A majority of Americans have low-quality jobs

MLB lockout looms over small-market World Series showdown

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