Artificial intelligence is poised to transform the workforce, and according to a new report from the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO), women may bear the brunt of these changes—particularly in high-income countries.
The report, released Tuesday, found that 9.6% of jobs typically held by women are likely to be significantly reshaped by the rise of AI, compared to just 3.5% of jobs traditionally held by men.
This disproportionate impact is largely attributed to AI’s growing ability to handle administrative tasks and clerical duties, including secretarial roles—fields where women are highly represented.
However, the ILO emphasised that most jobs won’t vanish entirely. “We stress that such exposure does not imply the immediate automation of an entire occupation, but rather the potential for a large share of its current tasks to be performed using this technology,” the report clarified.
Sectors such as media, software, and finance are also expected to undergo significant changes as generative AI continues to advance and expand its capabilities.
While AI may not completely replace human workers, the report notes that many roles will be “radically changed” as technology alters how tasks are performed. The ILO urged governments, employers, and labor organisations to begin planning for these shifts.
The report calls for a thoughtful approach to AI implementation, encouraging stakeholders to focus on how the technology can improve both productivity and the quality of work, rather than simply replacing workers.