ILO report warns AI poses greater job risks for women and clerical roles
Jobs traditionally held by women, particularly in advanced economies, face greater disruption from artificial intelligence (AI) than those held by men, according to a new report released Tuesday by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK).
The study found that 9.6% of traditionally female jobs are highly exposed to transformation due to AI, compared to 3.5% of male-dominated roles.
The report, titled Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure, offers one of the most detailed global analyses to date on how generative AI (GenAI) may reshape labor markets.
It concludes that while mass job displacement is unlikely, AI is expected to significantly alter roles—especially clerical, media, finance, and software-related occupations. The global exposure rate to GenAI stands at 25%, rising to 34% in high-income nations due to greater digital integration. Clerical and data-entry roles are particularly vulnerable, as GenAI can automate a wide array of administrative tasks.
Researchers developed an “occupational exposure index” based on 30,000 job tasks, combined with AI modeling, expert reviews, and employment data to assess job vulnerability more precisely across sectors and countries.
While AI may boost productivity, the report stresses that outcomes will depend heavily on the pace of AI adoption, digital infrastructure, and workers’ skill levels. It calls on governments, employers, and trade unions to collaborate on policies promoting upskilling, job protection, and inclusive transitions in AI-affected sectors.
The findings echo a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) warning that AI could impact 40% of jobs globally, potentially exacerbating inequality if unregulated. “Without proactive policies, AI could deepen labor market inequalities,” said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, urging immediate attention to the issue.
