Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Irish minister says AI has contributed to job losses and workforce changes
Ireland’s Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says AI has contributed to significant job losses and workforce changes in recent months.
He made the comments before an AI summit at Dublin’s RDS, part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Government says it has trained about 33,000 people toward a target of 40,000 by 2030.
Burke identified information technology, consultancy and some financial services jobs as vulnerable to AI-related change.
A Cabinet subcommittee will examine which sectors need specific training to help workers adapt.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless rejected predictions of an apocalyptic future and urged workers to build AI skills.
The summit brings technology executives and policymakers together on Wednesday to discuss AI, while the Government says it wants both to seize opportunities and ensure strong regulation.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said artificial intelligence has contributed to a significant number of redundancies and workforce “churn” in Ireland.
He identified information and communications technology, consultancy and some financial services jobs as vulnerable.
Burke said the Government was providing training and preparing support for workers affected by changes.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless rejected what he called a “doom and gloom” view of AI’s effects on jobs.
The comments came ahead of a Government AI summit at Dublin’s RDS on Wednesday.
- Who
- Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said AI had contributed to redundancies and workforce changes. Higher Education Minister James Lawless also commented on concerns about jobs.
- What
- Burke said AI was linked to a significant number of redundancies and workforce “churn”. The Government said it was supporting workers with training.
- When
- The comments were made ahead of the Government AI summit on Wednesday.
- Where
- Ireland. The summit is being held at the RDS in Dublin.
- Why
- Burke said AI was changing the workforce and creating risks for some jobs, requiring training and preparation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burke and Lawless spoke to reporters before the Cabinet meeting about AI and jobs.
The Government AI summit is scheduled to take place at the RDS.
- Training target
- 40,000 people by 2030
- People trained
- About 33,000
- Vulnerable sectors
- ICT, consultancy and some financial services
- Summit venue
- RDS, Dublin
What people are saying
there is a very significant portion of redundancies and churn in relation to AI right across the economy.
We don’t want to see it as a time of decline
I don’t buy into that, It’s not a vision that I share.
It’s not so much that AI might take your job, but somebody better skilled in AI might take it.
Sources
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