Deloitte Sees AI Cutting Job Growth to 0.5% Over 5 Years in 82 Occupations
Updated
Updated · ACS · Jun 9
Deloitte Sees AI Cutting Job Growth to 0.5% Over 5 Years in 82 Occupations
3 articles · Updated · ACS · Jun 9
Summary
0.5% annual employment growth is now forecast for AI-disrupted occupations over the next five years, down from a 1.2% baseline without AI and 1.9% over the past five years, Deloitte said.
82 occupations are flagged as vulnerable, heavily concentrated in tech and other white-collar fields such as software programming, database administration and ICT training, where vacancies have already started to fall.
Entry-level workers are likely to be hit hardest, while AI-enhanced roles including chief executives, R&D managers and medical laboratory scientists could see stronger demand as the technology complements human judgment and interpersonal skills.
1.3% employment growth is expected across Australia this financial year, easing to 1.1% in 2026-27, and Deloitte said AI has not yet caused broad job losses because most current use still centers on efficiency gains rather than full automation.
The report lands amid AI-linked layoffs at major tech companies and rising concern that automation of junior tasks could weaken graduate hiring and skills development before AI's longer-term labor-market effects become clear.
With AI automating entry-level work, are we creating a 'lost generation' locked out of traditional careers?
Is 'AI' the real reason for mass tech layoffs, or a convenient excuse for corporate restructuring?
As AI's energy thirst grows, is the tech boom creating an unavoidable environmental and infrastructure crisis?
2026 AI Labor Market Report: Job Disruption, Transformation, and Policy Responses Worldwide
Overview
Deloitte’s 2026 forecast shows that, despite fears, AI has not caused widespread job losses so far. Overall employment is still growing and redundancies remain limited. Economists point out that AI is just one factor among others like rising interest rates and economic uncertainty affecting jobs. However, Deloitte notes a decline in job vacancies in some AI-impacted tech roles, hinting at a shift in demand. The United States is seeing more labor market restructuring, which could signal changes for other countries. This suggests that while mass job cuts are not happening yet, AI is quietly reshaping the workforce and driving gradual transformation.