AI 'becoming part of broader business practice'
Job ads referencing AI skills went up in New Zealand in July, with the technology becoming "part of broader business practice" in the country, according to a new report.
SEEK NZ's Employment Report for July showed that 3.7% of job ads in the country reference AI skills, higher than the 2.1% recorded in Australia.
The increase represents a 2.8% monthly growth for job ads referencing AI skills. This is also a 94.1% annual growth, but slightly slower than the 109.4% annual increase recorded in June.
According to the report, the types of skills commonly referenced in job ads are related to:
- AI Ethics & Governance (368.8% y/y)
- Agentic AI (118.6% y/y)
- Generative AI (77.0% y/y)
AI 'becoming more visible'
Rob Clark, SEEK NZ country manager, said the findings indicate that AI is "becoming more visible in job ads."
"Demand for AI-related skills continues to rise, with the strongest growth in ethics and governance," Clark said in a statement.
"This suggests AI is moving beyond a specialised technical skillset in a handful of white-collar industries and becoming part of broader business practice, particularly at senior levels."
According to the report, the industry referencing AI skills the most is the Information and Communication Technology sector, where 16.7% of total job ads mention AI skills. Other sectors include:
- Marketing and Communications (9.2% of job ads)
- Consulting and Strategy roles (8.2% of job ads)
By exposure, the report found that jobs with low automation exposure went up 13.7% y/y, while those with high exposure increased 2.3% y/y.
Job ads see monthly decline
The rise in job ads referencing AI skills comes as overall job postings saw a monthly decline in July, according to the SEEK NZ report.
"Conditions remain strongest in the South Island, while larger centres, including Auckland, Wellington, and Waikato, continue to face greater headwinds," Clark said.
"Construction has been a key driver of growth in recent months, particularly in the South Island, but it weakened in July and the industry is no longer lifting the national figures."
Job ads in the construction sector saw a -0.9% monthly decline in July. Job postings in the mining, resources, and energy sector, however, saw a 3.3% increase for the month.
HR and recruitment job ads also reported a -0.8% monthly decline, but registered a 12.6% y/y increase, according to the report.
It joins the other industries in registering "meaningful" growth in job postings.
"Annual growth remains meaningful, particularly in roles with low exposure to AI automation, including those within Mining, Resources & Energy, Construction and Engineering," Clark said.
