The Hunter's strong manufacturing base will insulate the region's economy from the worst impacts of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in coming years, Premier Chris Minns believes.
One forecast produced by the University of Sydney study released earlier this year revealed AI may automate 30 per cent of routine consulting tasks within three years.
Mr Minns acknowledged that AI would continue to disrupt large parts of the professional services sector, resulting in job losses.
But he said the Hunter's rapidly evolving advanced manufacturing sector could help offset the effects of AI in the wider economy.
"All of a sudden an industry and chamber of commerce like this one (Business Hunter) that has always built things looks far more attractive, both as an investment target and as one that's shaping the future of the economy," Mr Minns said at Business Hunter's 140th birthday celebration on Tuesday.
"That's because the output from the businesses and employees in this tent today, in many cases, is AI proof.
"If you look at the product that is produced from the Hunter, it will be a cornerstone of the NSW economy, not dependent on what AI does to the economy in the years ahead."
He cited train and steel manufacturing, mining, advanced manufacturing, and defence industries as examples of industries that would withstand the worst effects of AI.
"These are essential and important parts of the NSW economy that we are going to have to lift up going forward, particularly because AI could have unintended consequences in other parts of the economy," he said.
The booming AI sector could also bring billions of dollars of investment into the region through the establishment of data centres.
In recent months data centre proposals have been pitched for former industrial land at Kurri and Muswellbrook.
The Muswellbrook data centre would become part of a larger industrial hub to be built on land owned by Malabar Resources between Denman and Muswellbrook.
It is estimated 500 people would be employed during the two-to-three-year construction phase. The finished project could employ up to 200 people in technology and maintenance roles.
A scoping report lodged for the establishment of a data centre on the site of the former Kurri aluminium smelter says the project, which is proposed to be built at Hart Road, Loxford, would employ 500 people during construction and 250 once complete.
The report indicates the project would consist of a two-storey building with a total floor area of 44.2 square metres.
The state government released the NSW Data Centre Consultation Paper in March to help guide the sustainable growth of data centres and AI infrastructure.
It is now working through more than 70 submissions that were received.
"We want to see world-leading digital industries that benefit communities and drive investment in new energy infrastructure," a government spokesman previously said.
"That's why the NSW government has been consulting extensively over the past few months on our proposed approach to environmental, energy and water efficiency standards for proponents who want to build in our state."
