In Hong Kong and globally, AI is not a job and wage killer, PwC says

Jobs requiring artificial intelligence (AI) skills are on the rise in Hong Kong as more businesses find practical use for the technology, but rather than replacing human ingenuity, AI is being combined with it to deliver productivity gains, according to PwC.
The proportion of job postings in Hong Kong seeking AI skills rose to 1.9 per cent in 2024 from 1.6 per cent in 2021, according to the consultancy's 'Global AI Jobs Barometer' report published on Friday. In the information and communications sector, roles seeking AI skills increased to 7.2 per cent of the total in 2024 from 6.4 per cent in 2021, said the report, which analysed nearly 1 billion job ads and thousands of financial reports from around the world.
Across all industries in the city, demand grew for roles that 'collate AI with human expertise', PwC said.
'The report underscores that rather than acting as a replacement for human creativity, AI is optimally deployed as a transformative 'enhancer', pushing boundaries [and] amplifying capabilities to drive greater efficiency and productivity across industries,' said Wilson Chow, PwC's global leader for technology, media and telecommunications and leader for China AI.
Jobs involving AI augmentation increased by 6 per cent in Hong Kong, while fully automated roles decreased by around 7 per cent, according to the report. The increase was more pronounced in certain sectors – above 50 per cent in public administration and above 30 per cent in the energy and water-supply sectors since 2021, it added.
The adoption rate of generative AI in Hong Kong increased to 62.1 per cent in 2024 from 56.3 per cent in 2023, indicating that AI applications in the workplace had entered the practical stage, according to IDC data.
'As a global hub of ingenuity, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to unlock the redefined employment opportunities emerging from an AI-enabled work landscape,' Chow said.

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