The Aussie jobs most at risk from AI as CEOs weigh in on the future of workAustralia’s CEOs have revealed the job category they think will be slashed as their companies adopt AI over the next few years.Harrison Christian2 min readJanuary 26, 2026 - 10:21PMAt WorkDon't miss out on the headlines from At Work. Followed categories will be added to My News.Aussie CEOs have picked junior roles as the job category most in jeopardy while their companies adopt AI over the next few years. The Global CEO Survey released this month by PwC showed Australian business leaders are unusually confident about the economy, but also expecting plenty of workplace disruption.Almost 50 per cent were “very/extremely confident” in revenue growth over the next 12 months, compared with 30 per cent globally. More than half of Aussie CEOs expected junior roles to be slashed due to AI adoption, however.More than half of Aussie CEOs expected junior roles to be slashed due to AI adoption. Picture: Supplied/PwCAsked how their company’s AI adoption would change employment levels in the next three years, 52 per cent believed junior roles would decrease, while 32 per cent expected a reduction in mid-level roles, and 11 per cent expected a reduction in senior-level roles. It comes after a November report from market intelligence firm International Data Corporation found the country could be on the cusp of an entry-level jobs drought – with over 93 per cent of organisations revealing they anticipate reducing the general hiring of entry-level staff over the next one to five years.In general, graduate roles are seen as among the most exposed to AI and automation. Australia’s CEOs were much more confident in future revenue growth than their global peers. Picture: Supplied/PwCBut other research suggested entry-level roles in the Australian workforce had actually increased.The Australian HR Institute’s work outlook for the December 2025 quarter found four in 10 organisations (41 per cent) had reported an increase in entry-level roles due to AI, while just 19 per cent reported a decrease. “This is broadly consistent with recent research, which suggests that entry-level roles may be more likely to transform than diminish,” wrote Australian HR Institute CEO Sarah McCann-Bartlett.“While AI may automate routine tasks often performed by junior staff, there is no current evidence of widespread displacement in Australia.”The work outlook showed AI adoption was accelerating with 68 per cent of organisations reporting they had formal policies or guidelines for AI use, and three-quarters actively training employees to use AI for work.But PwC’s Global CEO Survey suggested Australia was a laggard in AI adoption, with just 12 per cent of CEOs applying AI to a large/very large extent to products, services, and experiences, compared to 19 per cent globally.Furthermore, only 14 per cent of Aussie CEOs reported revenue gains from AI, compared with 30 per cent globally. The report also revealed that the number one concern among Australia’s CEOs was transforming fast enough to keep up with tech including AI, but only 28 per cent believed their current AI investment levels were sufficient. More CoverageStunning claim against China’s top generalHarrison ChristianPhoto of Aussie paddock goes insanely viralHarrison ChristianOriginally published as The Aussie jobs most at risk from AI as CEOs weigh in on the future of workMore related storiesBreaking NewsPrincipal stood down over ‘Zionists’ postA major update has emerged after the principal of a NSW Islamic school allegedly made a series of antisemitic social media posts.Read moreInternetPayout after teacher fired for student IG chatA Canberra teacher has been awarded compensation after being “harshly” fired for driving students to sports games and joining an Instagram group chat.Read more