AI was supposed to be killing jobs. In Spring, the labor market is opening up instead

CHONGQING, CHINA - JANUARY 22: In this photo illustration, a smartphone displays the logo of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADP), an American provider of human capital management solutions including payroll, workforce management and business outsourcing services, in front of a screen showing the company's latest stock market chart on January 22, 2026, in Chongqing, China. (Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images) (Credit: Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

Private employers added 122,000 jobs in May, ADP reported Wednesday, beating the 110,000 economists expected and marking the strongest month of hiring since January of last year.

“Hiring was more broad-based in May than we’ve seen in the last few years,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said as eight of the 10 sectors gained.