AI might be contributing to our rising unemployment rate. 

Stats NZ data shows unemployment jumped to 5.6% in the June quarter, up from 5.3% in March.  

It's the highest rate in 11 years and higher than most economists had been picking. 

ABC Business Sales’ Chris Small told Ryan Bridge when you compare the South Island’s rate of 3.7% to the North Island’s 6%, it seems like more of a white-collar problem than a blue-collar one. 

He says AI is filling a bit of a void for some business owners, which means they’re not hiring as many people. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

AI might be contributing to our rising unemployment rate.&nbsp;
Stats NZ data shows unemployment jumped to 5.6% in the June quarter, up from 5.3% in March. &nbsp;
It's the highest rate in 11 years and higher than most economists had been picking.&nbsp;
ABC Business Sales’ Chris Small told Ryan Bridge when you compare the South Island’s rate of 3.7% to the North Island’s 6%, it seems like more of a white-collar problem than a blue-collar one.&nbsp;
He says AI is filling a bit of a void for some business owners, which means they’re not hiring as many people.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Chris Small: ABC Business Sales CEO on the unemployment rate rising to 5.6%, impact of AI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/92f8c013-cf5b-4b3e-8662-b49e000caf45/transcript