A report warns that artificial intelligence is exacerbating gender inequalities in the labor market, with women more likely to be affected by job automation.
Artificial intelligence is significantly transforming the labor market, but the changes are anything but neutral, particularly concerning gender inequalities. According to a report by the International Labour Organization, occupations predominantly held by women are almost twice as likely to be exposed to automation—29% compared to 16% for jobs predominantly held by men. This disparity highlights a structural issue rather than merely a technological problem, as women remain concentrated in administrative, supportive, and caregiving roles that are more routine and susceptible to automation.
Moreover, women are significantly underrepresented in the development of AI technology itself, making up only about 30% of the workforce in the field. This situation compounds the risks and diminished opportunities female workers face in an already challenging environment. The inequalities do not only manifest upon entering the labor market; studies indicate that gender biases in AI are influencing youth expectations and career aspirations from the outset, with a recent international study revealing that a significant percentage of AI-generated responses favor male-oriented expectations.
As AI continues to advance and integrate into various facets of employment, addressing these systemic disparities becomes crucial. The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms and initiatives to ensure that AI development and deployment do not perpetuate existing inequalities but instead contribute to a more equitable labor landscape.
