Artificial intelligence and the jobs most at risk in Australia

The founder of a computer app that uses AI to teach math to children fears computer programmers are among the many workers threatened by artificial intelligence.

Large language models that can simultaneously process information and provide human-like responses threaten to revolutionize the job market and even surpass the changes brought about by the Internet in the 1990s.

Mohamad Jebara, co-founder of online learning platform Mathspace, says even entry-level IT coding jobs could disappear as AI becomes more sophisticated.

“AI programs can code, which could eliminate entry-level computer programming tasks,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Jebara, a former financial markets derivatives trader turned tech entrepreneur, said entry-level legal jobs, often done by university law students, could also be replaced by AI.

“Document review and legal research can be replaced by AI, as can contract reviews and legal document preparation,” he said.

Overseas backpackers on farms could also be replaced as AI enables robots to plant seeds and harvest crops.

“AI can manage farms more efficiently, using drones and robots for tasks like planting and harvesting,” Jebara said.

AI could also replace customer service jobs, including those who take calls.

“Many companies are already improving their online communications with customers through AI-powered chat,” Jebara said.

AI could also lead to self-driving vehicles, negating the need for bus or taxi drivers.

“The development of autonomous vehicles will eliminate the need for drivers of vehicles such as trains, buses, trucks and taxis, even drones and other air transport vehicles,” Jebara said.

Online banking has already led to banks closing branches from the city center to regional areas.

But Mr Jebara said AI would accelerate that.

“Online banking and automation reduce the need for physical bank branches and staff,” he said.

Manufacturing jobs are also considered at risk, as AI has led to even more automation on the production line.

“Those involved in repetitive tasks are especially likely to be replaced by machines,” he said.

Mathspace uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 to provide interactive online lessons for kids.

While it won’t replace the teacher in the classroom, it could replace the teacher if enough kids take advantage of a chatbot puppy named Milo, which can help them solve equations and know how advanced they are.

“If students have follow-up questions with Milo, their involvement increases,” says Jebara.

“It’s no longer a one-way interaction, and it’s going to get better and better at being more conversational.

“While AI cannot single-handedly solve the teacher shortage or ever replace teachers, Mathspace serves as an essential tool, bridging the gap created by the declining number of math-trained teachers and increasing their impact in the classroom.”

Mathspace was co-founded in 2010 by Mr Jebara, Chris Velis and Alvin Savoy and is used by 3,432 schools in Australia and a further 3,557 schools overseas.