Murdoch, who is now 93, stepped back to become chairman emeritus of News Corporation and Fox Corporation last year.

He made the comments in Australia where his The Australian newspaper is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Interviewed by Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker, also a former editor-in-chief of The Australian, Murdoch was asked when he believed we would see the last printed newspaper.

He paused, and then said: “15 years with a lot of luck.”

“You get on a train, public transport? You see anyone with a paper? You see no one. Now they're reading all the facts, on their phones,” he said.

Murdoch described AI as “a new threat” but also an opportunity and force for good.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt it’ll put people out of work. When it does that it will create wealth, and that wealth will create new industries and new employment.”

Whittaker also asked Murdoch what was the best piece of advice he’d been given.

“From my mother, tell the truth. From my father, be curious always,” he said.

Printed newspaper circulations have been on the slide for many years and with print plants shuttered as a result, and the subject of when the tipping point will arrive in terms of conventional newspaper production has been the subject of much debate.

In the UK Murdoch’s News UK operation has teamed with DMG Media for a newspaper printing joint venture that underpins both parties’ commitment to their respective print titles.

A News UK spokesperson said: “Every day we serve millions of customers across a wide variety of media and print remains an important part of that mix. We are committed to serving our readers who prefer that format and our print advertisers. Our recent partnership with DMG to join forces on efficient printing and distribution extends the runway for print for many years to come.”

The Sky News Australia documentary about 60 years of The Australian is available to view online via subscription.