In a recent study released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the potential impact of generative AI on jobs has been examined, shedding light on its implications for various industries and demographics. The report indicates that while the workforce as a whole may not be dramatically affected by AI in the short term, certain roles, especially in administrative and customer service sectors, could see significant changes.
The ILO’s study assessed the exposure of different job tasks to automation, revealing that 24% of clerical tasks are highly exposed to automation, with an additional 58% having medium-level exposure. This places roles like typists, travel consultants, bank tellers, contact center clerks, bookkeeping and data entry clerks, hotel receptionists, and secretaries at the forefront of automation risk. Notably, the report suggests that women, who are disproportionately represented in administrative roles, could be more vulnerable to job displacement due to generative AI’s adoption.
According to the ILO, “3.7 percent of all female employment in the world is in jobs that are potentially automatable with generative AI technology, compared with only 1.4 percent of male employment.”
Furthermore, the report highlights a disparity in AI’s impact between high-income and low-income countries. AI automation is projected to impact 5.5% of employees in high-income countries, compared to just 0.4% in low-income countries, revealing potential challenges in adapting to AI-driven changes across different economic landscapes.
Source: ILO
The study primarily focused on the impact of chatbot applications, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, on tasks such as customer service and coordination, data management, record keeping, information processing, language services, and inquiry responses. The recent crypto winter of 2022 serves as an example, with significant job losses in customer service within the crypto industry, affecting giants like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.
However, the ILO emphasizes that AI’s overall impact on the workforce remains nuanced. The report suggests that AI’s effects could be neither particularly positive nor negative in the immediate future. The outcome hinges on effective management and regulation of AI technologies, as well as the implementation of supportive policies to ensure a smooth transition for affected workers.
In a contrasting perspective, a recent survey of everyday Americans revealed a higher level of concern regarding AI’s impact on the workplace. 62% of respondents believe that AI will have a major impact in the workplace over the next two decades, highlighting widespread apprehension about the future of jobs.
In the broader context of AI’s influence on jobs, a June 2023 report by McKinsey predicts a significant paradigm shift in the job market. The report anticipates that AI could account for 60-70% of employee working time by 2045, emphasizing the importance of upskilling the workforce to align with evolving demands. Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, could play a pivotal role in streamlining decision-making processes and empowering knowledge workers by transforming data into actionable insights.
It becomes clear that the adoption of generative AI is a complex issue with multifaceted effects on various sectors and demographics. The findings from the ILO’s study underline the importance of proactive measures to ensure that the benefits of AI are harnessed effectively while minimizing the potential negative consequences on vulnerable groups and economies.