A New Threat to Women in the Workforce?
Artificial intelligence is making waves in industries where women predominantly work, as highlighted by recent findings.
A report from the nonpartisan Brookings Institution and the AI Governance Center has revealed that female-driven professions may be more at risk from AI advancements.
Through analyzing a mix of public and private data, researchers looked into which jobs are most susceptible to the changes brought by technology and how workers in those roles might adapt.
Among the 37.1 million U.S. employees identified as vulnerable to job displacement due to AI, 26.5 million possess an “above median adaptive capacity.” This suggests they are relatively well-prepared to transition to new roles if necessary.
On the flip side, about 4.2% of this workforce, roughly 6.1 million people, might face challenges in adjusting, often due to factors like age or lack of savings.
These individuals are mainly found in clerical and managerial jobs, with approximately 86% being women.
Mark Muro, a senior fellow at Brookings, pointed out to CBS News that these trends indicate the vulnerability of female-centric roles rather than any shortcomings in women’s abilities.
“It’s not really about who women are, but rather about what roles they occupy in the economy,” he explained.
Interestingly, nearly 70% of workers who can adapt are likely to find new jobs offering similar salaries, researchers noted.
Sam Manning, a senior research fellow at the Center for AI Governance, stated that these adaptable workers often come from areas like marketing, finance, and science, which require a wider range of skills and often involve more technical or managerial tasks.
“In those fields, there’s a broader spectrum of skills to utilize compared to more routine, administrative roles that have limited competencies,” he remarked to CBS News.
Both Manning and Muro encouraged workers to familiarize themselves with AI tools as a way to prepare for potential career shifts.
“Experimenting with this technology can be beneficial, allowing you to enhance your productivity and stand out in your field,” Manning advised.
