Major AI threat fears with 1/3 of jobs at risk as most ‘exposed’ roles revealed

MORE than 800,000 Irish jobs are at risk due to artificial intelligence, a new government report has shown.

Over 30 per cent of jobs are on the line with telephone sales, IT technicians and accountants some of the most exposed workers, a new government report has claimed.

As AI continues to play a bigger role in our lives, the Government ordered a study to examine how it will impact Irish jobs and our economy.

The study – entitled AI Friend or Foe? – shows that 63 per cent of Irish workers will see their jobs impacted in some way either negatively or positively by artificial intelligence over the coming years.

The research was put together before the emergence of new technologies such as generative AI like Chat GPT – so the impacts could be more significant.

Government officials looked at what jobs will be at risk due to new technologies but also how AI will compliment other careers.

For example, sport players, firefighters and chefs are among the least likely jobs to be at risk due to AI but will also benefit from the use of the new tech in their roles.

However, IT operators, lab technicians, telephone sales, accountants and communications operators are considered the most at risk jobs and also the careers where AI will be the least complimentary.

Barristers, nurses, psychologists, construction managers and librarians are the jobs that the Government believe will benefit most from the use of AI in their work but are also highly exposed.

Meanwhile physical work such as plasterers, dry cleaners, waiting staff and sewing machinists are the lowest at risk.

The research found that Ireland’s job market is slightly more exposed than other advanced countries with 63 per cent of jobs here due to be impacted by AI compared to 60 per cent elsewhere.

Women are also more at risk of having their job impacted by new tech than male workers, according to the Department of Finance report.

The report said: “Females appear to be relatively more exposed to AI than males, for example, arising from the fact more women are employed in highly exposed administrative, customer service or healthcare occupations.

“Men are more likely to be employed in agricultural or construction roles, which typically have low levels of exposure.”

In response, the Government are looking at measures to help mitigate the potential negative impact of AI with supports for businesses and workers – including future proofing the welfare system.

‘Change is rapid’

Finance Minister Michael McGrath said: “The pace of change here is rapid and that’s why we have to stay ahead of it as a government.

“That’s why the investment in education and skills is absolutely vital because I think overall there are more opportunities than threats but we cannot be blind to the risks and the threats to certain types of employment that may not necessarily be replaced but the nature of the role may change and will become more dependent and involve more use of AI.

“It is going to become more omnipresent in the labour market into the future there is no question about that.”

Currently in Ireland, over 2.7million are employed.