Key facts
- A report by Jobs and Skills Australia found that women and university graduates are most at risk of job displacement due to AI.
- Clerks, retail managers, software programmers, accountants, receptionists, and advertising/marketing professionals are among the most exposed occupations.
- Tradespeople and aged care workers, typically with lower university qualifications and higher vocational training, are least exposed.
- The report indicates that employment growth in highly exposed AI roles is slower than in less-exposed roles.
- The Australian government is preparing to release updated plans for AI regulation and management.
A new report from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) indicates that women and university graduates in Australia are disproportionately at risk of job displacement due to artificial intelligence. The report identifies occupations such as clerks, retail managers, software programmers, accountants, receptionists, and advertising and marketing professionals as being most exposed to AI automation.
Conversely, roles requiring lower levels of university qualification and higher vocational training, including tradespeople and aged care workers, are deemed least exposed. The findings suggest a trend where occupations more susceptible to AI automation are experiencing slower employment growth compared to less-exposed roles.
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth stated that while AI could reshape the job market, current conditions remain strong, and the government is committed to supporting Australians through this transition with skills and training. The report also cites analysis from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who predicts AI could eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs within one to five years, potentially increasing unemployment significantly.
Assistant Minister for Technology Andrew Charlton acknowledged public distrust in AI and the need for better regulation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of compensating creators whose work is used for profit by AI, ruling out watering down copyright protections.