‘AI capabilities are advancing at breath-taking speed. The launch of ‘AI agents’ shows AI is different from past technologies. It is not merely a tool – it is an actor’
AS much as 70% of tasks in computer-based jobs could be taken over by rapidly progressing AI, according to a new report.
Experts at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said artificial intelligence is set to cause a “seismic impact” on both the economy and everyday lives.
Particular emphasis is being laid on roles reliant on computer-based tasks like project management, marketing, and administrative support – these are the professions most expected to feel the changes brought about by AI’s rise to prominence.
They’re calling for the government to intervene, voicing concerns that current AI policies are overly centred on speeding up AI development and safety issues, while neglecting the “implications of powerful AI”.
The study looked at 22,000 common tasks performed by workers and found that up to 70% of such jobs could be either vastly altered or outright replaced by AI. The study throws light on AI possibly having its biggest say in organisational, strategic, and analytical tasks.
This revelation comes just before the Paris AI Action Summit which is scheduled for next week, where the global who’s who – including world leaders, industry experts, tech leaders and academics – will gather to work out an international approach for using AI.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer showcased the Government’s AI Action Plan last month – which aims to propel the UK to the forefront of the AI stage whilst simultaneously giving the economy a significant lift.
The UK’s strategy to bolster AI infrastructure and stimulate growth through the creation of zones, enhancing safety regulations, and integrating AI into the civil service has been a focal point for discussions on AI’s potential effects on the global job market. While some experts caution about the risk of human displacement from jobs, tech leaders argue that AI is designed to assist and streamline workloads rather than replace human workers.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently introduced what is known as AI agents – autonomous tools programmed for specific tasks – signalling a significant shift in both professional and personal spheres. An earlier report by IPPR suggested that up to eight million UK jobs could be threatened by AI in a “worst-case scenario”.
Carsten Jung, the IPPR’s head of AI, emphasised the urgency for politics to adapt to AI’s rapid advancements, stating: “AI capabilities are advancing at breath-taking speed. The launch of ‘AI agents’ shows AI is different from past technologies. It is not merely a tool – it is an actor.
“AI technology could have a seismic impact on economy and society: it will transform jobs, destroy old ones, create new ones, trigger the development of new products and services and allow us to do things we could not do before.
“But given its immense potential for change, it is important to steer it towards helping us solve big societal problems. “”Politics needs to catch up with the implications of powerful AI. Beyond just ensuring AI models are safe, we need to determine what goals we want to achieve.
“This demands democratic debate and close scrutiny of how AI is deployed. The public will want to be involved in setting clear missions and boundaries. “”The promise of AI to tackle some of humanity’s biggest problems is tantalising – we all have a stake in directing and achieving it.”
In its latest study, the IPPR revealed that AI is already transforming wider society, with around 930,000 people in the UK reportedly having an AI digital companion on app Character. AI, and many users forming “relationships” with these chatbots.
However, the think tank cautioned that while these AI companions can offer emotional support, they also pose risks of addiction and potential long-term psychological impacts, especially for young people.