AI revolution could lead to increase in some legal jobs

The report suggests that over the next 20 years AI will displace 7 million roles while creating 7.2 million.

PwC told Artificial Lawyer that lawyers would be grouped in the ‘Professional, scientific and technical’ sector of the economy within the report.

While this group amalgamates different professions, PwC’s analysis suggests some legal roles will benefit from a 33 per cent increase, while other types will decline by 18 per cent, resulting in a net increase of 16 per cent.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC, said: “Major new technologies, from steam engines to computers, displace some existing jobs but also generate large productivity gains. This reduces prices and increases real income and spending levels, which in turn creates demand for additional workers. Our analysis suggests the same will be true of AI, robots and related technologies, but the distribution of jobs across sectors will shift considerably in the process.

“Healthcare is likely to see rising employment as it will be increasingly in demand as society becomes richer and the UK population ages. While some jobs may be displaced, many more are likely to be created as real incomes rise and patients still want the ‘human touch’ from doctors, nurses and other health and social care workers.

“On the other hand, as driverless vehicles roll out across the economy and factories and warehouses become increasingly automated, the manufacturing and transportation and storage sectors could see a reduction in employment levels.”