AI could destroy hiring in one of the biggest industries for graduates

Graduate recruitment at auditors and accountants could fall by as much as 50% by 2020 due to the impact of artificial intelligence, according to a top executive of "Big Four" accountant EY. Steve Varley, chairman and managing partner for the UK and Ireland at EY, told the Financial Times: "Over time our graduate needs are coming down." The "Big Four" -- EY, PwC, KPMG and Deloitte -- are between them one of the biggest graduate employers in the UK. Globally, the auditing and accounting industry is also one of the biggest graduate recruiters. If recruitment reduces, thousands of grads will have to find somewhere else to start their careers.