AI revolution puts skilled jobs at highest risk, OECD says

Major economies are on the “cusp of an AI revolution” that could trigger job losses in skilled professions such as law, medicine and finance, according to an influential international organisation.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said the occupations at highest risk from AI-driven automation were highly skilled jobs and represented about 27% of employment across its 38 member countries, which include the UK, Japan, Germany, the US, Australia and Canada.

The body said it was “clear that the potential for [AI-driven jobs] substitution remains significant, raising fears of decreasing wages and job losses”. However, it added that for the time being AI was changing jobs rather than replacing them.