Healthcare employees will be the second-most resilient to AI
While most future-of-work narratives focus on how AI will upend work and the workforce as we know it, new data from global job site Indeed reveals Aussies as overwhelmingly fearless when it comes to the adoption of AI in the workplace.
A whopping 91% of Aussie workers say they are confident to adapt to the changes AI will bring to their jobs over the next five years—predominantly citing they feel ‘capable’ (43%), ‘prepared’ (40%) and ‘excited’ (33%) about the prospect.
1 in 5 jobs vulnerable to AI
Analysis of Australian job postings on Indeed found that around one-in-five (21%) jobs face a ‘high exposure’ to generative AI, meaning tools such as ChatGPT can perform at least 80% of the skills required in those jobs at a ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ level. A further 56% of job postings had a moderate exposure, with AI able to perform between 50% and 80% of the skills required at a high level.
Some industries are less vulnerable to AI, including healthcare
Although AI will undoubtedly impact jobs, workers believe some industries will be more resilient than others. Skilled tradespeople are perceived as the least susceptible to displacement by technology, according to 44% of Australians. Following closely behind in second place is the healthcare industry – with 37% of Aussies believing healthcare employees will be resilient to AI.
Conversely, roles such as business strategists and analysts, data scientists and analysts, and customer service representatives are deemed the least likely to remain unaffected by AI advancements.
Workers’ perceptions of AI versus humans
When asked which undertakings are performed better by AI than people, Aussies named data analysis, content creation and routine tasks. Similarly, workers believe AI can be more effective when it comes to problem solving and attention to detail, and equally effective at content creation.
Humans get the workers’ vote when it comes to decision-making (33%, versus 25% for AI), critical thinking (35% versus 27%) and customer service (44% versus 21%). Only one characteristic garners majority support, however, and that’s emotional intelligence—around 53% believe humans do it better.
Aussie employers investing heavily in AI
Aussie workers are among the most likely to say that they feel supported by their employers to adapt to changes in their role, with 71% agreeing this is true compared to the global average of 65%.
Sally McKibbin, Career Expert at Indeed says:
“Australians are known for their can-do attitude and this rings true in their arms-wide-open approach to using AI in the workplace.”
“Aussie workers demonstrate remarkable confidence in their ability to adjust to the changes AI will bring to their jobs. In fact, we rank as the third most AI self-assured workforce globally, trailing just behind India and the US.”
“Despite acknowledging that AI may cost more jobs than it will create and will change the work they do, the majority of Aussies are not worried—and many are actually excited—about stepping up to the challenges AI will bring, even when working in industries most likely to be impacted.”
“Investing in AI training for employees—particularly those in roles or industries that face high exposure to AI—will mean an organisation is better equipped to navigate and adapt to future workforce changes.”