Artificial intelligence may enhance jobs, not destroy them

Artificial intelligence may enhance jobs, not destroy them

A United Nations study has stated that artificial intelligence is more likely to enhance jobs than destroy them, in light of growing concern about the potential impact of the technology.

The launch of ChatGBT, a generative AI platform capable of handling complex tasks on command, was seen as a watershed moment in technology that heralds potentially radical transformations in the workplace.

But a new study issued by the United Nations International Labor Organization, which examined the potential impact of this platform and others on the quantity and quality of jobs, indicates that most jobs and sectors are only partially exposed to automation.

And she suggested that most of them “will most likely be complementary, not replaced, by the latest wave of generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT.”

"Therefore, the biggest impact of this technology is likely not to destroy jobs, but to introduce potential changes to the quality of work, especially labor intensity and spontaneity," she added.

The study indicated that the impact of technology will vary greatly according to occupations and regions, while warning that the jobs occupied by women will be more affected than those occupied by men.

It concluded that office work will be the most exposed to technology, as almost a quarter of tasks will be highly exposed and more than half will be moderately exposed.

For other job groups, including those held by managers and technical experts, a small group of tasks will have a high exposure to technology and almost a quarter to an average extent, according to the organization.

At the same time, the analysis indicated that high-income countries will experience the greatest impacts of automation due to the large share of clerical and semi-professional jobs in the job distribution.

The study concluded that 5.5% of total employment in high-income countries is exposed to the effects of automation resulting from generative AI, compared to 0,4% in low-income countries.

In addition, the study found that employment that is likely to be affected by automation is twice as high for women compared to men, given the large presence of women in office work, especially in high- and middle-income countries.

While Monday's report showed large disparities in the potential impact of AI-induced job losses between rich and poorer countries, it concluded that the potential for AI-induced job losses is roughly equal across countries.

The organization stated that this indicates that “with the right policies in place, this new wave of technological transformation can provide important advantages for developing countries.”

But she cautioned that while boost can refer to positive developments such as automating routine tasks to free up more time for more enjoyable work, "it can also be applied in a way that ... accelerates the intensity of work".

The report stated that, therefore, countries should develop policies to support an "orderly and fair" transition, stressing that "the results of the transition in the field of technology are not predetermined."

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