New Delhi: One in four jobs globally is exposed to the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), with women facing higher exposure than men, according to a joint study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK). The study indicates that job transformation, rather than mass displacement, is the most likely outcome of GenAI adoption.
The research, which analysed nearly 30,000 job descriptions through surveys, expert reviews, and AI models, developed a new ILO-NASK index to measure occupational susceptibility to AI-driven change. “Few jobs consist of tasks that are fully automatable with current AI technology,” the report stated. “Transformation of jobs is the most likely impact of GenAI.”
The report found that in high-income countries, 34% of jobs are in occupations with exposure to GenAI. In low-income countries, the figure drops to 11%. Middle-income regions such as Latin America and parts of Asia fall in between. Europe and Central Asia displayed the highest gender disparities, attributed to high female employment in clerical roles and greater digital penetration.
The study highlights that 9.6% of female employment in high-income countries falls into the highest-risk category, nearly three times the share for men. Globally, 4.7% of women’s jobs are in this category, compared to 2.4% for men. This disparity is largely due to the concentration of women in clerical and administrative occupations—sectors involving data entry, document formatting, and scheduling—that AI tools are increasingly capable of automating.
“While these roles are unlikely to disappear entirely, partial automation could reduce job quality, leading to fewer responsibilities, stagnating wages and growing insecurity,” the report said. The authors added that “without targeted training or role redesign, some workers – particularly women – may face limited opportunities to adapt.”
The report warns that lower overall exposure to GenAI in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Arab States does not equate to lower risk. In areas where digital access is limited or labour protections are weak, even limited automation could have significant consequences.
To address these challenges, the ILO has recommended strengthening digital skills training, especially for women and clerical workers, and integrating AI preparedness into national labour market and education policies. The report also calls for expanded infrastructure to ensure equitable access to AI technologies and highlights the need for inclusive social dialogue involving workers in decisions around GenAI implementation.
“Workers should have a say in how GenAI is introduced and used in the workplace, and their experiences must inform decisions about implementation,” the report stated.
The study concludes that without proactive measures, the risk of widening gender gaps and declining job quality remains high. It stresses that global efforts must focus on enabling all countries to participate in shaping the future of work.
, with women facing higher exposure than men, according to a joint study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK). The study indicates that job transformation, rather than mass displacement, is the most likely outcome of GenAI adoption.){kind=link}