This problem isn’t just about equity; it’s about the fabric of our global economy and societal progress. When half the population faces potential job loss, the ripple effects are vast \u2014 from economic growth to innovation, from community stability to global competitiveness.<\/p>\n
Dive into this nuanced exploration of AI’s impact on gender in the workplace and discover why championing women in the AI era is not just a matter of fairness but an urgent necessity for a thriving future.<\/p>\n
What Jobs Will AI Replace? Gender Disparity in AI’s Impact on Employment<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen considering which jobs AI will replace, we see that AI changes the global job market<\/a>. Data indicates that AI is more likely to replace women’s jobs than men’s jobs.<\/p>\nA report by the International Labor Organization (ILO, 2023, PDF<\/a>) states that AI could replace around 4% of jobs held by women worldwide. In contrast, only 1% of male employment is at similar risk. In high-income countries, the gap is even more significant: 8% of female jobs face the threat of automation, whereas only 3% of male jobs face the risk.<\/p>\nThis isn’t just about individual job losses; it’s about the broader economic implications. If a significant portion of women face job displacement, entire sectors could be destabilized, affecting economic growth and innovation.<\/p>\n
However, the question of “What jobs will AI replace?” is not just about job loss. A report by UNESCO highlights that AI is also bringing about the need for new digital skills<\/a> – yet a significant portion of women globally don’t even have access to the internet or essential digital skills.<\/p>\nAlthough women make up nearly half of the global population, 259 million fewer women use the internet compared to men (ITU, 2022<\/a>). The gap is especially pronounced in lower-income nations, with 21% of women online compared to 32% of men, which has not improved since 2019. There are many reasons for this, including cultural and social norms, unsafe access routes to public ICT facilities, or financial constraints.<\/p>\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Screenshot-2023-09-13-at-13.14.48.png\")
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This digital divide directly affects sectors undergoing rapid technological changes, like finance. As AI-driven tools become common, women in traditional roles need to adapt.<\/p>\n
However, they first need foundational digital literacy and access before they can even learn about AI-driven finance tools. Without addressing the root issue of internet access and basic digital skills, efforts to upskill women for the AI era risk being ineffective. The challenge is not just about introducing women to AI but ensuring they have the foundational skills to engage with it.<\/p>\n
The Role of Women in the Labor Market: What Jobs Will AI Replace?<\/span><\/h2>\nAs the debate around “what jobs will AI replace?” continues, it’s crucial to look at the roles women often hold in the workforce and how AI might change them. The data from the ILO report reveal that the gendered impact of AI stems from the significant number of women in clerical roles.<\/p>\n
Many women worldwide work in clerical roles such as secretaries, accounting clerks, and bank tellers. These positions, which have grown in high-income countries over the past decade, are at high risk of being replaced by AI.<\/p>\n
24% of clerical job tasks are highly exposed to the risk of AI automation – and another 58% of clerical job tasks have a medium-level exposure. Accounting for both levels of exposure, 82% of clerical job tasks are exposed to the risk of AI automation at an above-average level (ILO, 2023).<\/p>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Screenshot-2023-09-12-at-10.38.45.png\")
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This is in contrast to the other occupational groups, in which the highest share of highly exposed tasks varies between 1% and 4%, and the medium-exposed tasks do not exceed 25%. Even assuming large margins of error, the result is still striking.<\/p>\n
Economic Implications and Women’s Rights in the AI Era<\/h3>\n
The loss of jobs held mainly by women could slow the rise in women working. The right to work \u2014 chosen freely and conducted in safe, fair conditions \u2014 is a fundamental human right<\/a> (UN, 1948). Therefore, ensuring that women have this right is crucial. Ultimately, 70% of women want paid employment (ILO, 2017<\/a>) – translating to about 35% of the global population.<\/p>\n
A report by the International Labor Organization (ILO, 2023, PDF<\/a>) states that AI could replace around 4% of jobs held by women worldwide. In contrast, only 1% of male employment is at similar risk. In high-income countries, the gap is even more significant: 8% of female jobs face the threat of automation, whereas only 3% of male jobs face the risk.<\/p>\n This isn’t just about individual job losses; it’s about the broader economic implications. If a significant portion of women face job displacement, entire sectors could be destabilized, affecting economic growth and innovation.<\/p>\n However, the question of “What jobs will AI replace?” is not just about job loss. A report by UNESCO highlights that AI is also bringing about the need for new digital skills<\/a> – yet a significant portion of women globally don’t even have access to the internet or essential digital skills.<\/p>\n Although women make up nearly half of the global population, 259 million fewer women use the internet compared to men (ITU, 2022<\/a>). The gap is especially pronounced in lower-income nations, with 21% of women online compared to 32% of men, which has not improved since 2019. There are many reasons for this, including cultural and social norms, unsafe access routes to public ICT facilities, or financial constraints.<\/p>\n This digital divide directly affects sectors undergoing rapid technological changes, like finance. As AI-driven tools become common, women in traditional roles need to adapt.<\/p>\n However, they first need foundational digital literacy and access before they can even learn about AI-driven finance tools. Without addressing the root issue of internet access and basic digital skills, efforts to upskill women for the AI era risk being ineffective. The challenge is not just about introducing women to AI but ensuring they have the foundational skills to engage with it.<\/p>\n As the debate around “what jobs will AI replace?” continues, it’s crucial to look at the roles women often hold in the workforce and how AI might change them. The data from the ILO report reveal that the gendered impact of AI stems from the significant number of women in clerical roles.<\/p>\n Many women worldwide work in clerical roles such as secretaries, accounting clerks, and bank tellers. These positions, which have grown in high-income countries over the past decade, are at high risk of being replaced by AI.<\/p>\n 24% of clerical job tasks are highly exposed to the risk of AI automation – and another 58% of clerical job tasks have a medium-level exposure. Accounting for both levels of exposure, 82% of clerical job tasks are exposed to the risk of AI automation at an above-average level (ILO, 2023).<\/p>\n This is in contrast to the other occupational groups, in which the highest share of highly exposed tasks varies between 1% and 4%, and the medium-exposed tasks do not exceed 25%. Even assuming large margins of error, the result is still striking.<\/p>\n The loss of jobs held mainly by women could slow the rise in women working. The right to work \u2014 chosen freely and conducted in safe, fair conditions \u2014 is a fundamental human right<\/a> (UN, 1948). Therefore, ensuring that women have this right is crucial. Ultimately, 70% of women want paid employment (ILO, 2017<\/a>) – translating to about 35% of the global population.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThe Role of Women in the Labor Market: What Jobs Will AI Replace?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\nEconomic Implications and Women’s Rights in the AI Era<\/h3>\n