AI Will Affect 40% of Jobs, Probably Worsen Inequality, 'Crucial' That Countries Build Social Safety Nets

- AI will affect 40% of jobs and probably worsen inequality, says IMF head. ‘Crucial’ that countries build social safety nets to mitigate
impact on workers, says Kristalina Georgieva. The Guardian, Jan. 15, 2024. Ed.

Artificial intelligence will affect 40% of jobs around the world and it is “crucial” that countries build social safety nets to mitigate the impact on vulnerable workers, according to the head of the International Monetary Fund. AI, the term for computer systems that can perform tasks usually associated with human levels of intelligence, is poised to profoundly change the global economy with advanced economies at greater risk of disruption.

Analysis by the IMF, the international lender of last resort, says about 60% of jobs in advanced economies such as the US and UK are exposed to AI and half of these jobs may be negatively affected.

But the technology will also help to enhance some humans’ productivity as AI improves their performance, it said. According to the IMF, the safest highly exposed jobs are those with a “high complementarity” to AI, meaning the technology will assist their work rather than displace it entirely. This includes roles with a high degree of responsibility and interacting with people - such as surgeons, lawyers and judges. High-exposure jobs with “low complementarity”- meaning the potential for being displaced by AI – include telemarketing. Low-exposure occupations include dish washers and performers.

AI jobs exposure is 40% in emerging market economies including China, Brazil and India – and 26% for low-income countries, with an overall total of just under 40%. Generative AI – the term for technology that can produce highly plausible text, images and even voice from simple hand-typed prompts – has risen up the political agenda since the emergence of tools such as the ChatGPT chatbot. Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF managing director, said AI’s ability to affect highly skilled jobs means that advanced economies face greater risks from the technology. She added that in extreme cases some jobs in major economies could disappear...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/15/ai-jobs-inequality-imf-kristalina-georgieva