Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Jobs and Work-Related Tasks – Implications for the Vocational and Labour Market-Oriented Qualification Landscape and Occupational Guidance in Austria

This research project focuses on identifying occupational fields in which the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to exert measurable adverse effects on employment, with a view to deriving actionable implications for Public Employment Service (AMS) counselling, qualification programmes, and career guidance and information services. The central research question addressed is: which occupational fields and industries in Austria are most prominently affected by the challenges associated with AI applications – encompassing demand-side shifts, functional displacement, task reorganisation, and evolving competency requirements – and in which contexts might these challenges mutually reinforce one another? To address this question, a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses is employed. The study proceeds from a systematic review of the relevant literature on the potential employment effects of AI, complemented by a synthesis of existing empirical evidence on AI adoption in the workplace. The resulting findings are subsequently integrated into the development of forward-looking scenarios.