'The existing tech workforce is already straining to meet demand'
A recent report from the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) forecasts that the rise of artificial i ntelligence (AI) could create 200,000 new jobs in Australia by 2030, driving a significant boost in productivity and economic growth.
The study, supported by Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Workday, projects that the AI sector will inject billions into the economy, with generative AI alone expected to contribute $115 billion, largely from productivity gains, according to Digital Nation.
As AI technology continues to integrate across various industries, the demand for skilled workers in this field is anticipated to grow.
Shortfall in AI skills
However, the report also highlights a potential shortfall in necessary skills unless significant educational and training reforms are implemented.
To achieve the target of 200,000 AI professionals by 2030, the workforce would need to expand by 500% within seven years.
Talking to Digital Nation, a TCA spokesperson emphasized the importance of professional development in AI: “Building knowledge and experience in AI can be part of an employee’s professional development and upskilling in the course of their career. This may come from on-the-job experience or formal learning opportunities.”
According to the report, 84% of Australian knowledge workers are already using AI in their daily tasks, saving them time and increasing efficiency.
The TCA spokesperson added, “The report also recommends expanding and diversifying retraining pathways to support workers to develop skills in AI.”
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Strain on tech workforce with demand for AI
The report also emphasizes the need for diversified training pathways, suggesting that increased participation in vocational education and training (VET) or short-course training could help address worker shortages in areas such as cybersecurity, product development, and design.
Matt Tindale, managing director at LinkedIn Australia and New Zealand, acknowledged the current strain on the tech workforce to meet the increasing demand for AI skills, said Digital Nation.
“The existing tech workforce is already straining to meet demand. But growing the number of AI development jobs could be achieved by offering alternative entry-level pathways, opportunities for mid-career retraining and upskilling in AI, and drawing on skilled migration, particularly for highly technical roles requiring experience,” Tindale said.
AI ‘transforming how we work’
Damian Kassabgi, CEO of TCA, underscored AI's transformative impact on the workforce.
“Artificial intelligence is one of the leading tech trends and it’s transforming how we work. We’ve seen enormous growth in Australia’s AI workforce in recent years, which will only increase with greater adoption of the technologies,” he said.
He also pointed out that this growth will not be limited to the tech sector alone, according to Digital Nation.
“In addition to roles that are responsible for developing, designing and maintaining AI systems, we will need people with skills in areas such as human resources, sales and governance to successfully scale these systems and businesses to harness the potential in front of us.”