This crop of architecture students will enter one of the toughest early-career jobs markets in the past 15 years: a growing gulf between the supply of students graduating from architecture courses and demand from practices for architectural assistants.

And yet – we have been wowed, once again, by the sheer range on display in the AJ Student Prize, representing every ARB and RIBA-accredited course in the country. This talented cohort addresses issues ranging from intergenerational homes to silviculture and much in-between.

In our crammed special issue you can read a feature in which seven practice directors – including Sadie Morgan and Studio MUTT’s co-founders – offer their advice on how graduating students can prepare for their early steps in practice.

Our investigation into how the ‘broken’ higher education system is hitting architecture departments explores funding cuts and staff industrial action. While apprenticeships offer a welcome route into the profession, funding cuts threaten this approach.

We present the results of our second AI survey, which paints a picture of how architects are getting to grips with AI, showing that text tools are more popular than image generation. There are also tributes to Nicholas Grimshaw, who has passed away aged 85, plus bookies’ odds on who will scoop this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize. And if you didn’t make it to AJ Retrofit Live this month, then read our write-up to discover the top discussion points.

This month’s opinion pieces are from Chris Bryant on behaviour change and Robert Bevan, who argues that ‘Israel’s attacks on Palestinian culture and architecture also signal genocide’.

And if that wasn’t enough, there is our competitions round-up (which includes an extension to the National Gallery), David Grandorge’s photo selection, sketches by Natalia Kulesza and Hellman’s take on the Stirling shortlist.