More than 400,000 jobs in Northern Ireland are at risk because of an increase in automation over the next ten years, reports BBC News with data from the Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre and Catalyst Inc. The figure accounts for 50% of the total number of jobs in Northern Ireland. Of the sectors most likely to be affected by automation, the manufacturing sector was found to be the most vulnerable. Richard Johnston from Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre added that while sectors like manufacturing, logistics and retail and wholesale and some of the lower skilled occupations are the most vulnerable, automation could also create jobs and suggested it could also generate more jobs than it replaces.