How generative AI will impact tasks, not jobs
15.06.2023 - 11:02
What will be the impact of generative AI on Australian jobs? We look at the 10 occupations most affected by large language models such as ChatGPT, Bing or Bard and find that it is tasks, not jobs that will be replaced.
Our latest research looks at the implications of generative AI on work and productivity.
Our firm recently completed a study that was profiled in the ABC, the AFR (as an op-ed and in the news section) and the on generative AI and the implications for work and productivity:
We find that generative AI will replace tasks rather than jobs, allowing workers to focus on higher-value activities. We did this by looking at the top 10 occupations identified in the American research as being most exposed to generative AI and then used our micro dataset on job ads to identify the tasks that relate to each job and measured how many of those tasks will be replaced based on taxonomies from the AI literature.
Around 500,000 Australians are working in the 10 occupations most exposed to ChatGPT, Bing or Bard.
We estimate that about half a million Australians are currently working in the 10 occupations most exposed to large-language models like ChatGPT, Bing or Bard. This is a diverse group that includes telemarketers and tertiary educators, psychologists and counsellors, as well as judges and lawyers… and policy and management consultants.
But, generative AI only impacts about one-third of tasks, freeing up time for more creative, high value, less boring work.
Importantly we also find that, for the top 10 occupations most exposed to generative AI, generative AI impacts only about one-third of the tasks associated with each job on average. This will allow workers to focus on their other tasks, lifting productivity and making people’s jobs more engaging.
This could help drive productivity and unlock new benefits for Australia.
Read our latest posts
Prevention pays: Cutting the cost of dental hospitalisations
Outlining the scale, impact and solutions to preventable dental hospitalisations in NSW.
17 Oct, 2025
Unlocking the productivity dividend of digital government in New Zealand
Our latest research in collaboration with Microsoft examines how cloud infrastructure can unlock substantial productivity gains for the New Zealand Government. This study reveals that the Government could unlock $360 million a year in fiscal savings and productivity gains to 2035 through public cloud's efficient use of IT labour and infrastructure. We find that government agencies can reduce their IT budgets by 12 to 25 per cent through 2035, while delivering enhanced cybersecurity, operational resilience, and service delivery across the public sector.
15 Oct, 2025
Bridging the gap: the opportunity for Australian pension capital in the UK and Europe
In partnership with IFM Investors and Super Members Council, Mandala has developed a new report highlighting the growing role of Australia’s pension capital in the United Kingdom and Europe. This builds on the landmark report, 'Going Global: Unlocking the growth potential of Australian pension capital', released earlier this year by the same partnership. The UK and European Union (EU) together represent the second-largest international destination for Australian pension capital after the US.
15 Oct, 2025
Small Business, Big Opportunity: How AI is transforming hiring and unlocking talent
Our latest research in collaboration with LinkedIn examines how AI-enabled hiring can address persistent workforce challenges facing Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and operationalise a 'skills-first' approach that prioritises a person’s capabilities over traditional proxies such as degrees or past job titles. Through case studies, product examples and data insights, this report shows how a responsible use of AI can open talent pathways, reduce bias in hiring and create a more inclusive future of work.
15 Oct, 2025