This is how AI could impact the Irish jobs market

The biggest fear of increasingly prevalent Artificial Intelligence (AI) for many is that it may affect the jobs market negatively.

The prospect that jobs which have been done by humans for years will be replaced by machines is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly — with various studies suggesting that jobs both at home and internationally could be at risk.

A new analysis by the government suggested that while the majority of Irish jobs are safe from AI replacement, the Irish labour market are marginally more exposed to AI (63%) than the advanced economy (60%).

The AI: Friend or Foe study, published by the government on June 11, found that around 30% of workers are employed in roles that are at risk of being replaced by AI.

The jobs that the study found are most at risk are telemarketers, people working in the financial and insurance sector, and administrative and secretarial jobs.

Despite the fears that AI will replace jobs, the study also found that 30% of jobs may actually be positively impacted by AI — including those working as medical practitioners, librarians, barristers and judges.

Those who are working in the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector needn’t fear, as the study also found that those sectors are the least exposed to AI replacement.

‘It is essential that workers are supported to gain or improve the skills required to fully utilise AI as a supporting technology, or in a transition to roles that require different skills with social safety nets that are fit-for-purpose,’ Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said.

‘In this regard we are taking action to ensure that the public finances are in a position to absorb the structural changes that are likely to happen.’

‘Every significant technological advance brings changes to the labour market. AI will be no different in that regard,’ Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke added. ‘The exact nature of these changes is uncertain, but this does not mean that we are unprepared.’