The Bank of Canada says workers in skilled trades, health care and other occupations requiring judgment or physical interaction face less risk of being displaced by artificial intelligence, while office and administrative jobs are among the most vulnerable.A Bank report, Early Signs Of AI-Driven Adjustment In Canada’s Labour Market, said AI has so far had limited effects on Canada's overall employment market but is beginning to change tasks performed in certain occupations.“Exposure is lowest in occupations that rely more heavily on judgment, physical interaction or highly specialized human skills, for example jobs in health care and skilled trade,” said the report.Blacklock's Reporter said occupations identified as having relatively low exposure to AI included carpenters, dentists, electricians, nurses, physiotherapists, roofers and teachers.Jobs considered more vulnerable included bank tellers, bookkeepers, customer service representatives, data entry clerks, office support workers, payroll clerks, receptionists and travel agents.Bank analysts said many occupations considered susceptible to AI “already faced elevated unemployment risk” during the past decade.“Artificial intelligence has not yet led to broad changes in the overall structure of the labour market, but it is affecting specific tasks within some occupations,” said AI-Driven Adjustment.The Bank cautioned against assuming advances in artificial intelligence will automatically result in machines replacing workers.“Discussions about artificial intelligence and jobs often focus on whether this technology will replace human workers,” analysts wrote.“These concerns are understandable given how fast AI capabilities have been improving. But in reality the effect of AI on jobs and the labour market are more nuanced.”The Bank's findings echo federal focus group research indicating Canadians expect skilled trades and jobs requiring physical labour to remain in demand as artificial intelligence expands.A May 7 Privy Council report asked participants what they expected Canada's employment market to look like five to 10 years from now, including which industries would grow and what skills employers would need.“While believing the overall employment market might weaken, many believed there would be continued demand for skills in the trades and especially those that required physical labour such as bricklaying, installing drywall, repairing electric circuits and plumbing,” said the report Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views..Participants also predicted retirements among older tradespeople could increase demand for replacement workers.“A number also believed that, given their perception that a large proportion of those working in the trades were getting closer to retirement, there would likely be a surge in demand for tradespeople in the coming years in order to replace the aging workforce,” said the report.Focus group participants working in those areas were optimistic about their own prospects despite concerns about the broader labour market.“Asked how confident they were in their ability to have a good job in the future Canadian economy, all reported feeling highly confident,” said the report.
