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Around one in three jobs in Wales could be at risk from automation, according to new research.

Think tank Future Advocacy analysed the likely impact artificial intelligence will have on employment in every Welsh constituency.

Automation refers to machines taking on the tasks previously carried out by people and the current wave is being dubbed the fourth industrial revolution.

Although automation is nothing new the new wave has the potential to replace roles in accountancy or retail.

(Image: AP)

The think tank said in Wales the top 10 employers are all in sectors they consider to be at “high risk” of automation.

They added artificial intelligence was a “huge economic opportunity” for the UK but that political parties must have a strategy to deal with the risks.

The most at risk constituency in Wales is Alyn and Deeside, where Future Advocacy estimate 36% of jobs could be affected, compared to the median figure of 30%.

The figure refers to the percentage of current jobs that are at high risk of automation by the early 2030s.

The full list is as follows:

Alyn and Deeside - 36.8%

Newport East - 35.3%

Islwyn - 33.4%

Ynys Mon - 32.7%

Aberabvon - 32.6%

Torfaen - 32.1%

Llanelli - 32%

Clwyd South - 31.8%

Montgomeryshire - 31.7%

Delyn - 31.6%

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney - 31.6%

Blaenau Gwent - 31.6%

Cardiff South and Penarth - 31.5%

Wrexham - 31.4%

Bridgend - 31.2%

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr - 30.9%

Ogmore - 30.7%

Vale of Glamorgan - 30.5%

Caerphilly - 30.4%

Swansea East - 30.1%

Pontypridd - 29.8%

Neath - 29.5%

Newport West - 29.3%

Rhondda - 29.2%

Gower - 28.9%

Brecon and Radnorshire - 28.9%

Cardiff Central - 28.8%

Dwyfor Meirionnydd - 28.6%

Preseli Pembrokeshire - 28.4%

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire -28.3%

Monmouth - 28.3%

Aberconwy - 28.3%

Swansea West - 28.1%

Vale of Clwyd - 27.9%

Cynon Valley - 27.7%

Cardiff West - 26.9%

Cardiff North - 26.7%

Clwyd West - 26.6%

Arfon - 26.5%

Ceredigion - 26.2%

The top four employment sectors in Wales (by number of employees) are: human health and social work; wholesale and retail; manufacturing, and; education.

Of these wholesale, retail and manufacturing are among the most automatable sectors, with more than 40% of jobs in these sectors at high risk of automation by the early 2030s.

Dr Matthew Fenech, AI research and Advocacy Consultant at Future Advocacy said: “AI is a huge economic opportunity for the UK. However none of the major political parties have a remotely adequate strategy for dealing with the risks of these technologies.

“And this isn’t something that might happen in the distant future – this is happening now.

“We’ve just seen Shop Direct announce plans to replace three warehouses in Greater Manchester with one automated warehouse in the East Midlands.

“In Wales the top 10 employers are all in sectors that we consider to be at high risk of automation.

“We urgently need to identify those who are most likely to be hardest hit by automation and to develop targeted measures to help these people.

“That must include financial and psychological support as well as retraining.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Building strong foundations for growth, supercharged industries of the future and productive regions is at the heart of our recently-launched economic action plan.

“Underpinned by our new economic contract and calls to action, we will support bold and ambitious investment proposals that future proof businesses and the wider economy in the fourth industrial age.

“As set out in the recently published employability plan it is vital that we take steps to mitigate the employment impact of automation and take advantage of opportunities which the new technologies will provide.”