UP to one in three jobs in Ireland could be at risk from artificial intelligence, the Government has warned.
A shock report concludes that while there are positives to be had from the advances, workforce upheaval is on the way.
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, who co-commissioned the study, delivered the news today at the inaugural Global Economic Summit in Killarney, Co Kerry.
He told delegates: “Up to one third of employment could be at risk from the deployment of AI, but it doesn’t mean that those jobs will be lost.
“They may well change and there will also be other jobs created by the enormous positive potential of AI.
“Some roles will change, some roles will disappear in the future because we are now going beyond technological automation.”
He added that overall around two in three jobs will be impacted in some way by AI.
Mr McGrath went on: “We are into the space of cognitive ability being presented by AI and that will change the way that we work into the future.”
Both the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise are finalising joint papers on the AI impact on the labour market.
He said they are highlighting the need for the nation to have a conversation about the technology as it moves into mainstream usage.
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Around 400 leaders from the worlds of politics, business and economics gathered in Killarney for the not-for-profit summit on Monday which continues for three days.
Minister McGrath said that the whole world is on the cusp of a digital revolution.
He said AI could boost Ireland’s productive capacity of the economy.
He went on: “The key objective must be to harness the benefits of these new technologies, while avoiding some of the adverse outcomes.”
Delegates are set to discuss AI, climate change, energy sustainability, health ecosystems, education, technology among other crunch issues.
Solutions sought
The aim of the summit is to develop fresh solutions to global challenges.
Speakers include CEO of the World Energy Council Angela Wilkinson, Ireland’s European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation, is also expected to deliver a speech.
On Wednesday, the former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is set to speak, along with Fr Paolo Benanti, AI advisor to Pope Francis.
