Artificial Intelligence Endangers Female Employment Stability - AI Encroachment Poses Risk to Female Labor Force Participation
Artificial Intelligence and the Threat to Women's Jobs
According to a recent joint study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of the United Nations and the Polish National Research Institute (NRI), the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the labor market disproportionately impacts women's jobs compared to men's. The study, intended to explore AI's influence on the job market, predicts that 25% of all jobs could be threatened by technological advancements, particularly in wealthy countries, where the risk is as high as 34%.
The disparity between the genders can be attributed to the concentration of women in roles more susceptible to automation, such as administrative and clerical positions, which involve routine tasks that AI can perform efficiently. In high-income countries, about 9.6% of jobs traditionally held by women are at risk of being transformed by AI, compared to 3.5% for jobs traditionally held by men.
The higher risk of job disruption for women could exacerbate existing gender inequalities, potentially widening the gender pay gap and reducing opportunities for women in the workforce. However, the study also presents potential solutions, such as using AI strategically to enhance productivity and job quality rather than solely for automation, and implementing inclusive policies by governments and employers that address gender disparities and ensure fair transformation practices.
The study suggests that administrative jobs are likely to be replaced in the future, given that they involve data processing and statistics. Jobs requiring emotional skills are less likely to be affected. Human creativity is not expected to be replaced by technology immediately. However, the authors of the study encourage workers to embrace AI, using it to make their work simpler and to improve their handling of technology.
While robots, such as those used in nursing homes in Asia, have already become part of the daily work in some settings, the UN report does not confirm that AI-controlled robots will take over social tasks like childcare, elderly, or nursing care. The study did not find significant evidence to support this claim in its current state.
The ILO and NRI study underscores the importance of addressing the disproportionate impact of AI on women's jobs to prevent widening gender inequalities and ensure a fair and equitable transition in the rapidly changing world of work.
- The Community policy should prioritize women's vocational training, particularly in fields less susceptible to automation, to counter the disproportionate impact of Artificial Intelligence on women's jobs.
- In the context of health-and-wellness, it's crucial to explore the possibilities of technology-assisted vocational training for women, aiming to equip them with skills for jobs less likely to be replaced by AI, such as jobs requiring emotional skills.
- To foster a more balanced integration of Artificial Intelligence, particularly in areas like women's health, the development of ethical artificial intelligence, such as AI with a focus on empathy and compassion, should be emphasized in scientific research and vocational training programs.
