Universities across Australia are rapidly adapting their curricula to address the looming impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, with Monash University reporting significant growth in demand for AI-related studies, particularly at the postgraduate level. The shift reflects a broader recognition that future employment will require a blend of technical skills and expertise in other disciplines.
Professor Jean-Guy Schneider, Deputy Dean of Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology, noted the increasing popularity of double degrees combining IT with fields like healthcare, finance, and engineering. “What’s especially notable is the increasing interest in double degrees combining IT with disciplines from across the university, showing students recognise the jobs of the future will require deep technology skills alongside expertise in other fields,” he said.
Monash is currently developing a new applied AI degree specifically designed to prepare graduates for practical AI implementation in sectors already facing critical skill shortages. Popular undergraduate degrees at the university continue to include science, engineering, arts, business, and biomedical studies.
Macquarie University is also experiencing a surge in interest in courses that train teachers, including bachelor’s degrees in education, and engineering. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Eric Knight highlighted growing enrollment in health courses, such as psychology and a new bachelor of health sciences. Commerce, psychology, and media and communications remain popular choices for students.
According to global technology futurist Dr. Bruce McCabe, AI will fundamentally alter every process across all industries. “All aspects will be changed. What I notice is that most people grossly underestimate what’s coming in all parts of AI. What we’re seeing today is nothing compared to what’s coming even in the next few years,” he stated.
McCabe argues that all university courses should incorporate a module demonstrating the application of AI within that specific field. “Otherwise, we are selling the students short,” he said. He emphasized that even traditionally non-technical fields, like carpentry, will require AI proficiency for future competitiveness. “If you’re doing a degree or even a course in carpentry, you need some sort of module to cover how to utilize AI in your industry, or you won’t be competitive.”
He anticipates a widening wealth gap, with those effectively utilizing AI tools gaining a significant advantage. New opportunities are emerging, particularly in data-related roles. McCabe foresees a high demand for “data curators” responsible for maintaining and leveraging company data to train AI systems, as well as professionals focused on data quality control within organizations like banks and airlines.
The rise of AI also presents potential new roles in customer service, such as AI customer service agents or orchestrators managing outbound communication. McCabe notes this role is analogous to managing human teams, requiring assessment and management of customer experiences. He also points to the increasing interaction between AI systems in business-to-business contexts, particularly within supply chains.
Conversely, McCabe identified several jobs at high risk of displacement, including basic reporting, interpreting, technical writing, telesales, audio production, traditional advertising, and straightforward coding and programming.
Recent reporting by journalist Emily Chantiri explored the ethical implications of using AI to recreate deceased individuals, featuring insights from Professor Rocky Scopelliti and Monash University’s Professor Robert Sparrow. This highlights the broader societal and ethical considerations accompanying the rapid advancement of AI technologies.
