The Sydney suburbs most exposed to AI disruption
Hundreds of thousands of workers in Sydney’s inner suburbs are more vulnerable to AI automation than anywhere else in Australia.
“Through the establishment of the Office of AI and ongoing investment in skills and training, we are working to navigate this technological change. The NSW government wants to see the benefits of AI enjoyed by the many, not just the few.”
Research by the Department of Industry’s Office of the Chief Economist published in July found no evidence of broad labour market upheaval from AI in Australia, although employment in occupations more exposed to generative AI has grown more slowly than others.
Jeremy Gill, head of policy at advocacy group the Committee for Sydney, said the city needs to prepare for the ways AI automation will change work patterns.
“This doesn’t mean people living and working in areas at risk of high levels of AI automation will have their jobs replaced,” he said. “But it does mean the skills that they need, the kind of the tasks and the things they do in their jobs are going to change, and we need to make sure that they’re ready for that and Sydney is ready for it.”
Gill said assisting workers at the “beginning and the end of the work journey” would be crucial, especially education and skills development.