Workers have been given a reason to be optimistic about the artificial intelligence revolution: the technology won't result in a loss of jobs.
Former International Monetary Fund economist Chris Richardson delivered a hopeful message to attendees at the National AI Forum in Canberra on Wednesday.
“Jobs exist to solve problems... if AI is going to take away some jobs, it's sure as hell not going to take away problems," he told the forum.
“There will never be a lack of problems, and on that basis, there will never be a lack of jobs.
"This opportunity is the largest I have seen in my life ... we need to run at it with speed."
It was a similar sentiment from other industry leaders, including billionaire Sir Richard Branson and former Labor leader Bill Shorten.
But it also came with a warning.
Future jobs will be obstructed if Australians are not AI-educated, the speakers warned.
Guests were told AI will impact every job in Australia and if used correctly, it can increase productivity and allow workers to focus on the human element of work.
"What concerns me most isn't whether AI can write reports, analyse data, or automate tasks. It's whether a young person leaving school today can still find meaningful work," Sir Richard, who appeared via video, said.
"If this disappears, we don't simply have a workforce challenge. We have a complete societal challenge".
One of the challenges mentioned was how Australia has been slow to accept its AI fate.
It has the lowest trust in AI technology compared to other countries, an Ernst & Young study found.
The moral panic includes the narrative that AI will kill off the workforce, however it has not created a downturn in the jobs market, the federal government's National AI Centre said.
The two-day summit was hosted by Future Skills Organisation who united employers, educators, unions and government sectors in a room to focus on how to prepare the Australian workforce for the emerging technology, at scale.
The forum heard those most liable to fall behind are the one in three Australians adults who are functionally illiterate and Mr Shorten - the vice chancellor of University of Canberra - was blunt in his assessment.
“People hate when they think they're paying for bullshit,” he said.
“What I would like to do is … let any Australian adult who wants to learn more about AI come and do a free course.
“I'm over the debate about whether AI is good or bad. It's here. How are we going to use it?”
