AI's Hidden Impact: The Jobs It's Taking First Might Surprise You

AI is Already Taking Jobs – And It’s Not Where You’d Think

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s actively reshaping the workforce, and the first roles being replaced might catch you off guard. HR, finance, and even tech jobs are among the earliest casualties as companies prioritize efficiency and cost-cutting.

The Rise of AI in HR and Finance

Zoe Ogden, a 26-year IBM veteran in HR, found her role redundant when the company introduced AskHR, a chatbot handling tasks like onboarding, training, and career development. IBM slashed 40% of HR costs by automating these processes, leading to 8,000 global redundancies, including 200 in Australia.

“Lots of things go through your head,” says Ogden, who transitioned to IBM’s AI team.

Other industries are following suit:

• Microsoft laid off 15,000 staff, including 6,000 developers.
• Canva cut technical writers.
• Meta, Salesforce, and Google reduced headcounts to invest in AI.
• HP eliminated 2,000 roles in engineering, HR, and finance.

The Irony of Tech Workers Being Displaced

Even software developers, the architects of AI, aren’t immune. As AI evolves, it’s replacing the very jobs that built it. Nvidia, now a $4 trillion company, exemplifies this shift—tech workers face disruption from their own creations.

The Corporate Response: AI as a ‘Partner’

Australian CEOs avoid admitting AI replaces jobs, instead framing it as a collaborative tool:

“AI won’t replace roles; it will replace tasks. Humans with AI skills will replace those without.”

Yet, employees at firms like Atlassian report growing anxiety as performance metrics tighten and stack ranking (employee comparisons) intensifies.

Graduate Jobs Under Threat

Entry-level roles are particularly vulnerable:

• Legal and professional services now use AI for research, audits, and fraud detection.
• LinkedIn reports AI engineer as the fastest-growing graduate role.
• Indeed data shows a 24% drop in graduate job postings in 2024.

Universities are adapting—some law schools now penalize AI-generated essays and emphasize critical analysis over rote tasks.

The Bigger Picture: Winners and Losers

While AI creates new opportunities, economists warn of a 20% employment drop in some sectors. Offshore jobs may vanish first, and gender disparities could widen in fields like law, where women dominate vulnerable entry-level roles.

Skeptics Say It’s Overblown

Some argue AI’s impact is exaggerated:

• Will Liang (Amplify AI): Australia lags, with major disruptions 5+ years away.
• Kai Riemer (Uni of Sydney): AI is a convenient excuse for cuts.
• Frederik Anseel (UNSW): AI adoption moves at the speed of social change, not tech.

The Future: Adaptation Over Panic

Rather than fearing replacement, experts urge reskilling and workflow redesign. As Amazon’s Andy Jassy warned:

“Many of these agents have yet to be built, but make no mistake—they’re coming, and coming fast.”

Key Takeaways:

• AI is replacing HR, finance, and tech roles first.
• Graduates face tougher job markets, with AI handling entry-level tasks.
• The shift demands new skills—judgment and adaptability over speed.
• Offshore and process-heavy jobs are most at risk.
• The debate continues: Is AI a threat or an overhyped tool?