What’s the True AI Impact on Jobs in the Tech Market?

Let’s face it: there’s no escaping AI. According to the government’s latest data, almost half of the people working in tech use it on a weekly basis. But contrary to popular belief, it’s not as much “man vs. machine” as you might think. In fact, if you’re savvy enough, you can protect yourself against the AI impact on jobs in the future.

Emanate’s Senior Consultant in Data, Analytics and AI, Jimmy Downey, wants people to future-proof their careers against AI job displacement. In this article, he shares his thoughts on what’s happening in the job market and what employers want, with practical advice job seekers can use today. 

Will AI take tech jobs?

There’s no denying that AI is everywhere now, including at work. And it’s not only our sector. The IT and tech industry was among the five most exposed to AI in Australia, alongside science and engineering. But unlike others, we’re in a prime position to use it to our advantage.

According to Jimmy, a change is already happening with the IT roles and specialisations that employers want to fill. “There are plenty of mismatched titles in the market right now,” he says. “AI engineering is a big one, but the title can mean four very different people: an ML Engineer/Data Scientist, a full-stack software dev, a cloud/DevOps specialist, or a business SME vibe coder.”

Jimmy also notes that AI governance is a fast-growing pocket, since regulated industries can’t move without it. On the other hand, traditional model-training data science roles are tightening, with people now moving towards applied/production AI.

Although it’s reshaping the job market and changing everyday responsibilities for so many in tech, there’s no need to worry about AI replacing jobs if you stay one step ahead.

What are employers looking for in AI-competent people?

Most employers today—especially in tech and IT—want people who aren’t afraid of AI. Here, Jimmy shares some insights into what clients are requesting right now and the skills that’ll become even more valuable as AI becomes a bigger part of the workplace.

You’re comfortable with the unknown

According to Jimmy, most clients don't know exactly what they want yet either. “You need to be comfortable with ambiguity,” he says. Each day is different to the next, especially at the speed at which AI is developing. Get used to not knowing what’s coming.

You favour judgment over execution

“Knowing what to build, what to skip, and what good output actually looks like are all far more important than being able to execute perfectly,” Jimmy says. Although we rely on AI more today, we’ll always need good, old-fashioned human judgment.

You can translate between business vision and technical execution

People have to go beyond writing code or queries and think of business- and people-friendly solutions. “Employers want someone who can easily translate between business problems and AI tools, coming up with something that suits both.”

You have solid fundamentals in AI

Already using AI tools day to day, and not just talking about them? You’re in line with where the tech market should be. “Employers want people who’ve shipped something, are working with LLMs in production, and with strong fundamentals and practical AI fluency,” Jimmy says.

As it stands, the AI impact on jobs in tech is more about reshaping than replacing roles. So, employers are looking for people to make that happen. 

Practical Tips for Tech Candidates to Stop AI from Taking Over Jobs

Working in tech and IT, we’re no strangers to rapidly changing solutions and systems. But if you’re feeling left behind with AI, these tips can put you in higher demand in the job market.

Practice makes perfect

Worried that AI might reduce demand for your skills? Jimmy suggests using it for just one hour a day. “Once it stops being novel, you see what you can offload and what only you can do,” he says. “The roles that will disappear first are pure execution. The ones that survive add judgment on top.”

Build something for yourself 

When you feel comfortable with AI, try building a user-friendly solution that genuinely helps your workload. “It doesn’t matter how small—a workflow, a side project, a tool that saves you 30 minutes a week,” Jimmy says. “That one shipped thing puts you ahead of most people who've only read about it.”

Get rid of the technical gatekeeper mindset

In our sector, we’re commonly seen as “tech gurus” (and with good reason). But thanks to AI, that’s changing. “AI is now capable of pure execution work, such as boilerplate code, first-draft reports, and basic SQL, in seconds,” Jimmy says. “Non-technical people can ship a working prototype in an afternoon now.” 

Improve your networking skills 

With AI handling more technical tasks in the future, your ability to communicate well and network in your sector will set you apart. Tech skills are vital, but building connections with others is timeless.

Tech is always changing. And as AI begins to reshape the job market, the most successful people are the ones who are flexible and innovative enough to move with it. Emanate helps candidates figure out where their skills and goals fit best, and what they can do to stand out.

Future Proof Your Tech Career

There’s no need to fear AI, especially when you know how to use it for yourself. With Emanate, you can futureproof your career and understand what our clients are looking for today. Chat to our team, browse tech jobs, and figure out your next move.