EY’s analysis projects that widespread AI adoption could add between $95 billion and $116 billion to Australia’s economy over the next decade, equal to 2.6 to 3.2% of GDP.
The firm links those gains to productivity improvements and new capital spending, particularly on data centres and related infrastructure that support advanced AI systems.
Its modelling assumes more businesses embed AI tools deeply into workflows rather than treating them as experimental add-ons.
That shift underpins the stronger growth profile EY maps out.
EY’s work points to a modest net employment increase of about 44,000 jobs over ten years as AI rolls through the economy.
The uplift comes from firms using AI to produce more output with the same or slightly larger workforces, which in turn raises household incomes and demand.
Construction and retail emerge as standout winners because they combine large workforces with many tasks that can be augmented, not replaced, by AI.
EY argues that in many roles, AI automates repetitive elements while expanding the scope for higher-value human work.
EY’s broader message is that AI is more an economic amplifier than a blunt job-cutting tool, provided adoption is managed well.
Higher productivity and extra investment in enabling infrastructure support both stronger growth and slightly higher employment overall.
The findings suggest policy debates may need to shift from whether AI destroys jobs to how training, regulation and infrastructure planning can maximise its benefits.
EY still flags that some industries and roles are likely to face sharper adjustment pressures than others.
