Artificial intelligence is changing the work graduates do in their early career, prompting universities and employers to rethink how Australia prepares its future workforce.
To help address this shift, La Trobe AI Institute has brought together senior leaders from industry and academia to explore how AI is reshaping entry-level work and the capabilities graduates will need across every sector.
The inaugural AI employer roundtable examined how AI is already changing graduate roles across industries including health, finance, government and technology. Discussions focused on which early-career tasks are changing, how human capabilities are becoming more valuable as AI becomes routine, and how universities and employers can work together to build Australia's future workforce.
Employers highlighted the growing importance of graduates who understand and can apply the foundational skills of their profession, are knowledgeable on the responsible AI use, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.
La Trobe Provost and Senior Vice-President Professor Rob Pike said universities were working closely with industry to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce.
"Artificial intelligence is changing the expectations employers have of graduates at an extraordinary pace. By working directly with industry, we can ensure our curriculum continues to develop the technical capability, professional judgement, and adaptability graduates need to thrive in the workforce."
Embedding AI in everyday work
As AI becomes embedded in everyday work, many of the routine tasks including desktop research, stakeholder communication, and drafting project proposals that were traditionally used to develop early-career capability, are being automated or accelerated. The roundtable explored how graduates can continue to build confidence and professional judgement while developing the human skills that remain essential alongside AI.
Participants agreed that graduate capabilities require greater emphasis on AI literacy, critical thinking and professional judgement. This discussion highlighted the importance of equipping graduates with the skills and literacy to use AI responsibly in the workforce. Pro Vice-Chancellor (Artificial Intelligence) and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Phil Laufenberg said AI presented a significant opportunity for universities to prepare learners for a growing demand for people with both foundational job skills and the ability to responsibly use AI in their work.
"By developing graduates with deep foundational domain skills and high AI literacy, we are supporting industry on their journey to unlock the business benefits of sophisticated AI adoption."
Building AI Capability for the Future
Insights from the roundtable will help inform how AI capabilities are embedded across La Trobe's curriculum while also strengthening partnerships with employers through applied research, work-integrated learning, executive education, and industry-led innovation.
Patricia Haueiss, Managing Director of the La Trobe AI Institute, said the Institute was designed to bring together education, research and industry to accelerate responsible AI adoption and workforce capability.
"The AI Institute exists to connect expertise with real-world need. By bringing together industry, researchers, educators and government, we can translate workforce insights into practical education, research and partnerships that build AI capability across Australia.”
By working directly with employers, La Trobe’s AI Institute is helping shape a more responsive approach to AI education, translating real workforce needs into curriculum, capability and partnerships. This approach better prepares students with practical, future-focused skills to succeed in an AI-capable organisation.
Visit the La Trobe AI Institute to find out more information about how La Trobe is shaping the future of AI across research, education and partnerships.
For those interested in discovering more about industry and researcher partnership opportunities, email industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au or visit La Trobe Industry.
