Artificial Intelligence and Australia’s Most Threatened Jobs
The founder of a computer app that uses AI to teach children math fears that 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 upend the job market, surpassing even the changes sparked by the Internet in the 1990s.
Mohamad Jebara, co-founder of online learning platform Mathspace, said even entry-level computer coding jobs could disappear as AI becomes more advanced.
“AI programs are capable of coding, which could eliminate entry-level computer programming jobs,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
Mr Jebara, a former financial markets derivatives trader turned technology entrepreneur, said entry-level legal jobs, often held by university law students, could also be replaced by AI.
The founder of a computer app that uses AI to teach children maths fears that computer programmers are under threat from artificial intelligence (photo: stock image)
“Document review and legal research can be replaced by AI, as can contract review and legal document preparation,” he said.
Foreign backpackers on farms could also be replaced, as AI allows robots to plant seeds and harvest crops.
“AI can manage farms more efficiently, using drones and robots for tasks such as planting and harvesting,” Mr Jebara said.
AI could also replace customer service jobs, including those who answer calls.
“Many businesses are already improving their online communication with their customers using AI-powered chat,” said Jebara.
AI could also lead to driverless vehicles, eliminating 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, or even drones and other air transport vehicles,” Mr Jebara said.
Online banking has already led to banks closing branches, from city centers to regional areas.
But Mr Jebara said AI would speed up that process.
“Online banking and automation reduce the need for physical bank branches and staff,” he said.
Manufacturing jobs are also seen as under threat as AI has led to even further automation of production lines.
“In particular, those who perform repetitive tasks will likely be replaced by machines,” he said.
Foreign backpackers on farms could also be replaced, as AI allows robots to plant seeds and harvest crops (pictured, a citrus orchard in Australia)
Mohamad Jebara, co-founder of online learning platform Mathspace, said even entry-level computer coding jobs could disappear as AI becomes more advanced.
Mathspace uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 to provide interactive online lessons for children.
While it won’t replace the teacher, it could replace the tutor if enough kids benefit from a chatbot puppy called Milo who can help them solve equations and know how advanced they are.
“When students ask Milo follow-up questions, their engagement increases,” Mr. Jebara said.
“It’s no longer a one-sided interaction, and it will continue to improve to become more conversational.
“While AI alone cannot solve the teacher shortage crisis or ever replace teachers, Mathspace provides an essential tool, bridging the gap created by the declining number of mathematics-trained teachers and increasing their impact in class.
Mathspace was co-founded by Mr Jebara, Chris Velis and Alvin Savoy in 2010 and is used by 3,432 schools in Australia and a further 3,557 schools overseas.
