AI's Impact on Women's Occupations: Potential Risks and Consequences - AI Poses a Threat to Women's Job Security
Artificial Intelligence: Women at Risk in Upcoming Job Changes
A new study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of the United Nations and the Polish National Research Institute has shed light on the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce, revealing that women may be disproportionately affected by automation.
The report found that about 25% of all jobs are at risk due to technological advancements, with the figure reaching 34% in wealthy nations. However, the gender gap is pronounced: women could lose their jobs three times more often than men.
The elevated risk for women stems from the fact that they form the largest proportion of employees in administrative jobs—roles that manage and organize. According to data from the US Census Bureau, over 90% of secretarial and administrative positions between 2000 and 2019 were held by women.
Administrative jobs are susceptible to automation due to their repetitive and routine nature. Generative AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot can handle tasks such as basic email correspondence, scheduling, data summarization, and trend identification efficiently, thus reducing the need for human labor.
According to the study, jobs requiring emotional skills are less likely to be replaced by AI, and human creativity will likely be safe from automation for some time. Instead, the authors recommend that workers adopt and utilize AI to ease their work and improve their technological skills.
Despite the risks, the study does not foresee massive job losses. Instead, it suggests a transformation of job tasks, emphasizing the significance of digital skills training and inclusive policies to support women and clerical workers' transition into new roles augmented by AI and prevent displacement.
Research from SHRM further underscores the vulnerability of women in administrative support roles facing high risks of automation displacement. Consequently, strategic workforce planning combining AI and human intelligence is crucial to build resilience and address the challenge of AI-driven disruption for women in the labor market.
In summary, administrative jobs, including office administrators, assistants, and clerical workers, are at high risk of AI-driven automation. Women disproportionately hold these roles, making them more vulnerable to job displacement. Although mass job losses are unlikely, an emphasis on digital skills training and inclusive policies is essential for supporting women's workforce participation and career transitions.
- To mitigate the potential risks of AI-driven job changes, it is crucial for community policies to incorporate digital skills training programs, focusing specifically on vocational training for women working in administrative roles, to ensure their workforce resilience and career transitions.
- As the field of Artificial Intelligence continues to advance, it is vital to recognize the potential health-and-wellness implications for women, particularly in areas like women's health, as automation may impact job opportunities in these sectors.
- In addition to digital skills training, it is essential to explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can be employed in various industries, such as the health-and-wellness sector, to enhance vocational training, improve accessibility, and empower women to attain new skillsets in their respective fields.
