A recent report from the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) warns that jobs usually held by women are more at risk of being changed by artificial intelligence (AI) than those held by men, especially in wealthier countries. According to the ILO, nearly 10% of jobs typically done by women could be transformed by AI, compared to just over 3% of jobs usually held by men. This is mainly because AI is becoming very good at handling administrative and clerical tasks, like secretarial work, which are fields where many women are employed.
However, the report also points out that AI is more likely to change the way people work rather than completely replace them. Many jobs will still need humans to do certain tasks, even if AI takes over some parts. For example, while AI can help with organizing data or scheduling, it can’t fully replace the personal touch and judgment that people bring to their work.
Besides office and clerical jobs, careers in media, software development, and finance are also seeing big changes as AI becomes smarter and more capable. Generative AI, which can create text, images, and even code, is especially driving these changes.
The ILO urges governments, employers, and workers to work together to make sure AI is used to improve productivity and make jobs better, instead of just cutting costs or reducing staff. They suggest that with the right training and support, workers can learn to use AI as a helpful tool, rather than seeing it as a threat.
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Summary
- The rise of AI is also creating new job opportunities, such as roles in AI development, data analysis, and AI ethics.
- Some experts recommend that workers focus on building skills that AI can’t easily replace, like creative thinking, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving.
- Governments in some countries are already investing in programs to help workers retrain and adapt to the changing job market.
- The impact of AI on jobs varies by country and industry, depending on how quickly new technologies are adopted and how much support workers receive.
While AI is set to change many jobs, especially those traditionally done by women, there are also chances for people to learn new skills and use AI to make their work more interesting and productive. The key is to be prepared and proactive as the workplace continues to evolve.
