For a long time, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been criticized for its influence on the labor market, as individuals fear losing their employment or having the most valuable aspects of their everyday duties mechanized by AI technology. However, the impact on jobs may not be evenly distributed. A study conducted at the University of North Carolina has revealed that a significant number of working women, 8 out of 10, face a higher risk of job loss due to the rise of artificial intelligence. In comparison, the risk for men stands at 6 out of 10 employees.
Potential setbacks in gender equality by AI technology
The study highlights certain professions that are particularly vulnerable to job loss because of AI adoption. Fields such as accounting, secretarial office positions, education, training, community, and social services, which have traditionally been associated with women, face a higher risk due to their compatibility with AI systems. The automation potential in these sectors threatens to displace a significant number of female workers, exacerbating the existing gender disparities in the labor market.
Julia Polk, the Chief Economist of ZipRecruiter, expresses concerns about the potential setbacks in gender equality caused by introducing AI technologies. The progress made in increasing women’s participation in the labor market could be hindered, and there is a risk of temporarily reversing the positive trend. While AI presents new employment opportunities for everyone, the gender disparities highlighted in the study reflect the different distribution of professions between genders. Office-based jobs, predominantly occupied by women, are more susceptible to replacement by AI systems, while occupations involving physical tasks, which are less prone to automation, remain predominantly male-dominated.
Higher risk for occupations susceptible to disruption and automation
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of working women aged 25 to 54 in the United States had reached a historic high of 77%. However, the outbreak and subsequent layoffs disproportionately affected women, leading to a decline in their share to 73.5%. The rise of AI now threatens to hinder progress once again.
Another research analysis estimates that nearly 79% of working women, approximately 59 million individuals, are in occupations susceptible to disruption and automation, compared to 58% of working men. The analysis identifies positions such as bill and account collectors, payroll, and timekeeping clerks, executive secretaries, word processors, typists, and bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks as having a higher percentage of women and being more exposed to AI.
While AI presents both opportunities and threats to the job market, its impact varies across industries and tasks. Some jobs, particularly in healthcare, could benefit from AI by automating repetitive tasks and allowing professionals to focus more on providing high-quality care to patients. Navigating the job market in the AI era requires individuals to adapt and acquire new skills that set them apart from automation. By enhancing their unique value and staying ahead of technological advancements, workers can mitigate the risks and capitalize on the emerging opportunities created by AI.
