Deep analysis reveals AI's impact on Australian tech jobs
Education behemoth Pearson has analysed the work of Australian software developers, computer systems analysts and network architects, finding these workers will save between 4.5 to seven hours a week in five years' time with effective use of technology.
Pearson Asia Pacific executive Craig McFarlane told NewsWire that jobs needed to be 'redesigned'.
'We can't afford to keep chasing talent externally. The real opportunity lies in rethinking the structure of roles so we can unlock the capacity we already have,' he said.
'AI is creating space – time that we can reinvest in upskilling, creativity and innovation.'
The research modelled the future impact of 34 emerging technology types on 76,600 granular tasks. The five-year impact is based on the projected adoption rates in Australia's IT industry that are already under way.
Workers in five high-value tech roles saved between 4.5 and 7 hours a week, based on the analysis.
'That's nearly a day each week that can be reinvested into strategic, creative, or growth-focused work,' Mr McFarlane said.
'By starting the process of role redesign now, businesses can close skills gaps faster, improve retention and strengthen their competitiveness, all while preparing their workforce for the future.'
The researchers are confident the use of AI will not make these workers obsolete, instead just automate repetitive and routine tasks.
'The roles themselves remain intact; it's the nature of the work within them that evolves,' Mr McFarlane said.
'Businesses can free their people to focus on higher-value activities like strategic planning, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
'This is about redeploying talent, not replacing it, and the gains are significant. In some cases, we modelled that teams could double their output without adding headcount.'
While this study looked at tech roles, the researchers highlighted other industries making significant use of artificial intelligence and robotic process automation (RPA).
Finance and banking are 'leading adopters' of AI and RPA, Mr McFarlane said. Healthcare companies are investing heavily in AI for diagnostics, patient systems, and data analytics.
Mining firms have long used automation for safety and efficiency and are now using AI for routine maintenance and further efficiencies.
Retail and logistics companies are using AI to forecast demand and manage warehouses and supply chains.
'In each of these sectors, the adoption of AI tools is creating opportunities to redesign roles and unlock hidden capacity within existing teams,' Mr McFarlane said.
Schools are another sector figuring out how to use generative AI.
St Mary MacKillop College in Melbourne's southwest has taken on the challenge of leading the wave for multiple reasons; AI has the potential to better teach kids, the tech can help teachers plan and assess, the software is getting better, and AI simply needs to be taught in safe, ethical and effective ways.
St Mary MacKillop digital learning co-ordinator Trent Wilson told NewsWire the school was using a small number of 'carefully selected' generative AI tools.
Students in years 7 to 10 are using an AI feedback tool for responses about what they have done well and how to improve.
The tool is called Education Perfect; some tasks that the students do and get feedback from are created by Education Perfect, some are created by the school.
Students in years 10 to 12 are using a research chatbot called Perplexity. The school is teaching the students how to speak to the bot, what constitutes safe and ethical use, and how to critically evaluate the bot's responses.
'Using an external tool with older students acknowledges their need for greater agency and prepares them for a future in which AI literacy is essential,' Mr Wilson said.
'This tool is not writing student work, rather guiding students on refining and editing their own ideas and writing.'
Throughout 2024, college staff did professional learning, academic reading and research and ran trials with select classes. In 2025, the school had its rules and principles ready to go.
MacKillop's AI use was grounded in critical thinking, ethical use and academic integrity, Mr Wilson said.
The college is not using AI for any counselling services.
'AI is an incredibly fast-moving technological phenomenon that has tremendous potential,' Mr Wilson said.
'Nowhere is the obligation to manage its risks, and unlock its potential, more vital than in education, where we help to shape the next generations.'
Shane Smith co-founded the Education Perfect tool being used at MacKillop.
He said the program gave teachers more time to focus on one-on-one support.
'In schools that have had time to trial AI, teachers report that it can also help identify learning gaps more quickly and make it easier to plan lessons that meet the needs of different learners,' Mr Smith said.
'These efficiencies are particularly valuable in high-demand classrooms. Any time saved, even if just minutes, can be reinvested directly into students.'
The tech developer is also confident advancements will not lead to job losses.
'No, we absolutely don't believe that AI will lead to job losses for teachers in Australia,' he told NewsWire.
'In fact, it will be key to help address teacher shortages by reducing workload and improving efficiency.
'AI is best seen as a tool to augment teacher effort and expertise. The human element of teaching – grounded in trust and mentorship – cannot be replicated by AI.'
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