AI to automate 1.3m Aussie jobs by 2027: ServiceNow

Artificial intelligence is expected to have a severe impact on the Australian workforce, automating around 1.3 million current full-time jobs across Australia by 2027, according to data from ServiceNow and workplace technology experts Pearson.

The research found that up to 0.9% of Australia’s working population will be impacted by the automation of current roles, and a further 6.6% of jobs will be augmented by productivity gains delivered by AI.

Roles with high levels of repetitive and technical tasks will be most impacted by AI, the research suggested. An estimated 45.8% of bank worker roles are set to be automated, 38.2% of accounts clerks roles, 36.9% of checkout operator roles and 36.8% of finance bookkeeper roles.

Meanwhile many jobs will be heavily augmented by AI, including an estimated 31.8% of tasks conducted by migration agents, 29.1% of tasks by network administrators, 28.1% of tasks by system administrators, 28% of tasks by hardware technicians and 27.8% of tasks by telecom engineering professionals.

But ServiceNow VP and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Eric Swift said despite the potential for disruption, AI will deliver an unprecedented opportunity to upskill Australian workers, and will help reverse declining productivity in the Australian economy, delivering nearly $92 million in economic benefits.

“The automation revolution has begun. In the next four years, we believe AI will become an essential tool for people across industries,” he said.

“Unlocking the huge economic and productivity gains will require businesses, governments and individuals understanding what shifts will occur, and prioritising skills and using the right technology platforms to take advantage. This will help reverse declining Australian productivity, and it will also address skills shortages by freeing up talent to work in the most in-demand areas.”

Swift said it will be vital for employers to identify the biggest shift in job descriptions and invest in tailored training pathways to help people reskill. For employees, it will be essential for them to learn how to use AI tools to make themselves more competitive, he said.

Datacom Australia managing director Alex Coates said the company’s research demonstrates that 41% of Australian business leaders are concerned about the potential for AI to reduce job opportunities for Australians.

“With the relatively high concerns around job loss, there needs to be some context. We see the potential to weed out more automated, routine tasks and focus that resource elsewhere. It is also important that we look to the future and implement the right skills and training opportunities now,” he said.

“The advent of more widespread AI use will see greater demand for AI and machine learning specialists, and data scientists and analysts, for example, so we need to build those skills into our existing workforce.”

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