Thuringia study shows AI could automate up to 56% of regional jobs

A study by the Institute for Labour Market and Vocational Research (IAB) for the Saxony‑Anhalt‑Thuringia region found that in 2022 the average substitutability potential – the share of core tasks that could be performed by computers or AI – was 55.8 %, up from 41.6 % in 2013. The figure exceeds the German average because occupations with high automation potential, such as production assistants in manufacturing, are more common in Thuringia.

The study notes large differences between sectors. Automation potential has risen sharply in IT and scientific services, while it remains low for medical and health‑care professions, as well as social, cultural and education jobs such as nurses and teachers. Researchers stress that the numbers do not imply half of all jobs will disappear, but that work methods will change and substantial retraining will be needed.

A separate worker survey found that 30 % of respondents believe AI could replace their manager, 25 % say AI has already displaced jobs in their company, and only about one‑quarter consider themselves personally replaceable by AI.