Earlier this week an artificial intelligence-powered rapper was dropped from its label (yes, it had a label) after its algorithm learned to use racial slurs in its lyrics. More usefully, a recent AI trial at Queensland's Princess Alexandra Hospital was able to give early warnings as much as eight hours before a patient's condition was predicted to decline. Artificial technology is about to send a "tidal wave" of disruption through the way we work, according to a once-in-a-decade forecast by CSIRO, the national science agency. The federal government is being urged to use the upcoming national jobs summit to "double down" on policies set by the former government to ride that tidal wave, or risk being rode over. AI technology is forecast to replace as much as half of the work that is done today by 2030.

Artificial intelligence and automation are seeping into our daily working lives -- and female office workers are among those whose jobs are being taken over by machines. That's according to new research provided to ABC News by an Australian teaching organisation that's urging people to upskill so they don't find themselves out of work. Pearson's research looks at roles that are likely to be automated as technology advances. Historically, much of the conversation when it comes to automation has been about robots taking over factory jobs, or even replacing retail assistants in the form of self-service check-outs at supermarkets. Pearson's data also shows the less obvious pictures of automation encroaching into office environments, including for medical receptionists, accountants and personal assistants.