AI is set to change the graduate job market. Here’s how unis can respond

Detailed summary

Tech companies are pursuing artificial intelligence systems capable of matching or exceeding human performance across a broad range of intellectual tasks.

Globally, there have been concerns about the likelihood of artificial intelligence (AI) taking people’s jobs and reducing job opportunities for university graduates.

AI software companies, such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic are pursuing AI systems capable of matching or exceeding human performance across a broad range of intellectual tasks.

A federal government report, published in July, rated jobs typically involving cognitive tasks as those with the highest exposure to AI automation. This includes accountants, clerks and receptionists.

Jobs that were rated as the lowest exposure to AI automation tended to be those requiring more physical work, such as tradies, carers and truck drivers.

Much of the government narrative has been that jobs will more likely be changed or “augmented” by AI, rather than be cut by the technology.

The report also found that as of February this year, AI had not had significant impacts on the Australian job market. This included job opportunities for graduate students, despite international concerns AI will reduce the number of entry-level roles.

This article is part of a series on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education.

We take a deeper look into how AI has disrupted degrees, how universities are responding to these new challenges and what the technology means for the sector’s future. You can find more stories here.

However, things might be changing. This month the Reserve Bank of Australia noted there are already some signs younger workers in more AI-exposed industries are struggling to find work in Australia.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Conversation AU. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.