The AI job apocalypse that never happened

Jobs exposed to automation by generative artificial intelligence are growing more slowly than other occupations, but there is no evidence of the broader labour market upheaval many feared the technology would spark.

The Albanese government’s first AI and employment in Australia report, released on Wednesday, found jobs in AI-exposed professions grew by 5.6 per cent between November 2022 – when OpenAI’s ChatGPT was first released – and February 2026. This is compared with 9.5 per cent in the least exposed jobs such as skilled trades.

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