Research from Deloitte in Northern Ireland suggests at least one-sixth of state jobs there are at risk of automation by 2030.

Predictions from the Deloitte report say that up to 32,960 posts in the public sector would be under threat in the next 15 years, particularly those in the administrative and operative areas.

Technological advances are widely expected to lead to major job reductions in the coming decades as more and more work can be done by automated systems, and some have even called for a universal basic income to be introduced in response.

"Across all sectors of the economy, technological advances mean that repetitive and predictable tasks are increasingly undertaken by robotics - either in the form of software or devices," said senior partner at Deloitte Belfast, Jackie Henry. "The public sector, and the public sector in Northern Ireland, is no different."

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has previously said that despite the great benefits of technological development, it "mercilessly destroys jobs and lives".

Henry added that the public sector in Northern Ireland still retains a significant amount of jobs which should not be threatened by such advances.

"The public sector has a high number of public-facing roles, particularly those in areas such as education and caring. These will be relatively safe from automation and could see the public sector impacted less than other sectors," he added.