“It is difficult to think of a service sector job that won’t be impacted in some way by AI,” he said.
“Particularly for those who are operating in offices, generative AI will potentially augment what people do, as well as in some cases, supplant jobs entirely.”
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Leigh said under the leadership of Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic, the government has introduced the Responsible AI Adopt initiative and issued a discussion paper canvassing AI issues such as privacy, transparency and intellectual property, but looking at it from a competition standpoint was also vital.
“It’s critical because AI is general-purpose technology, like the steam engine, like electricity; it has applications right across the economy. It’s not a narrow technology, it’s a broad one,” Leigh said.
“It could underpin so many different areas, from education to law to the arts. We need to get it right.”
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