No jobs in AI: How reliable is Australia’s latest Intergenerational Report?

No jobs in AI: How reliable is Australia’s latest Intergenerational Report?

The sixth Australian Government Intergenerational Report was released today, which looks at the country’s next 40 years. An RMIT expert in decision-making, automation and labour markets weighs in.

Topics: Intergenerational Report, digital economy, labour force, Australian Government

Dr Nataliya Ilyushina, Research Fellow in the College of Business and Law

“The Intergenerational Report included a graph showing no growth in job advertisements for cloud computing and AI jobs. Intriguingly, this data was presented in the same section that acknowledged the potential pitfalls in measuring the digital economy accurately.

“Traditionally, measuring technology’s impact on labour and productivity was a straightforward task for statisticians. Metrics involving tangible factory machines could easily be quantified, contributing to a straightforward balance sheet. However, the digital era has introduced complexities that the conventional methods of measurement find increasingly difficult to grasp.

“A standout revelation in the latest Intergenerational Report is its frank admission that current methods are ill-equipped to measure disruptive technologies. These technologies often precipitate organisational changes that are almost impossible to quantify numerically.

“Misleading metrics like the graph showing no growth in cloud computing and AI jobs could lead to all sorts of policy missteps. Authorities might underinvest in digital skills education or underestimate the productivity gains attributable to disruptive technologies. This is particularly concerning given that previous government statements have blamed Australia's slow productivity growth on the sluggish adoption of innovative technologies.

“The Intergenerational Report serves as a timely reminder that we must adapt and refine our methods to avoid potential consequences that could hamper growth and innovation.”

Dr Nataliya Ilyushina is a Research Fellow at the Blockchain Innovation Hub and ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) at RMIT University. Her work investigates decentralised autonomous organisations and automated decision-making, and the impact they have on labour markets, skills and long-term staff wellbeing.

Media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

24 August 2023

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24 August 2023

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