Artificial intelligence could put up to 150,000 jobs at risk in Ireland over the next decade, according to a new report from Google.
The tech giant released a new study this week about the impacts generative AI might have on the Irish economy if it’s widely adopted, and the results are both positive in negative.
In the positive bracket is a potential boost of $49billion to the size of the economy. The majority of people might also see their work lives become easier, with the expectation that two thirds of jobs could potentially be assisted by some form of AI.
AI will be able to help workers write, code, create images, videos and more. However, this could lead to the loss of around 150,000 jobs, which is around six percent of the Irish workforce, the study says.
The biggest impact will be on the manufacturing sector. Clerical support workers, technicians and service and sales workers are also expected to see significant change.
“These workers are likely to see their jobs fundamentally change and may need to be re-employed in new occupations,” the researchers, who are from Implement Consulting Group, wrote.
“Displacement mainly occurs where administrative and repetitive knowledge-based tasks make up a large part of the work activities.”
The researchers suspect that 28 percent of Irish jobs would be unaffected by generative AI but that around eight percent of Irish businesses had already adopted at least one form of the technology.
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Of those businesses, 58 percent said that AI has improved productivity and generated new ideas.
“Ireland should leverage its strong tech environment and promote upskilling and commercialization to maximize the benefits of AI,” said Martin H Thelle of Implement Consulting Group.
“Generative AI will boost global economic growth in the coming decade. It can increase productivity and boost Ireland’s competitiveness. To capture the next wave of AI benefits across society, Ireland needs to promote commercialization and secure widespread AI knowledge.”
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