That\u2019s not nothing. These aren’t just tech CEOs either \u2014 they\u2019re spread across industries, from finance to logistics to media. And it reflects a growing belief that AI won\u2019t just tweak how work is done; it may change who does the work.<\/p>\n The thing is, the data isn\u2019t as clear-cut as it sounds. A separate report by the Australian HR Institute, focusing on the last quarter of 2025, painted a very different picture: 41% of organisations reported an increase in entry-level hiring, with only 19% noting a decrease. Wait, what?<\/p>\n That might seem contradictory, but according to Sarah McCann-Bartlett, the Institute\u2019s CEO, the real story is about transformation, not elimination. AI may take on the repetitive tasks that junior staff usually start with \u2014 things like data entry, scheduling, or drafting emails \u2014 but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the jobs vanish. Instead, they evolve.<\/p>\n And maybe she\u2019s right. Maybe the job of tomorrow\u2019s graduate will be less about admin work and more about managing AI tools, interpreting outputs, and applying judgment where machines fall short. It\u2019s not science fiction \u2014 it\u2019s already happening in marketing, HR, customer service, and even law.<\/p>\n Curiously, for all the concern, Australia still lags behind the global average when it comes to AI adoption. Only 12% of Aussie CEOs say their companies are applying AI on a large scale \u2014 compared to 19% globally. Even fewer (14%) report seeing actual revenue gains from AI integration, versus 30% worldwide.<\/p>\n Despite this, the majority of companies (around 75%) are training employees to use AI<\/a>, and 68% have formal guidelines in place. So while the tech may not be everywhere yet, the preparation certainly is.<\/p>\n The anxiety around AI isn’t just about algorithms \u2014 it’s about identity. Entry-level jobs are more than just stepping stones; they’re how people enter industries, build experience, and figure things out. If those vanish, what takes their place?<\/p>\n As CEOs plan for a more automated future, they face a choice: do they use AI to replace human workers, or to augment them? So far, the answer isn\u2019t definitive \u2014 but whatever direction they choose, one thing\u2019s clear: the future of work is already knocking.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"jobs\"](\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/02\/visual-selection-2-894x800.png\")
\u00a0<\/h2>\n
But Here\u2019s Where It Gets Murky<\/h2>\n
Adoption Is Slower Than Expected<\/h2>\n
The Real Question: Replace or Reskill?<\/h2>\n