27% of jobs in OECD countries are at high risk of being affected by the impending artificial intelligence revolution, according to a report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Read more.
The Paris-based organization, representing 38 member nations, including wealthy and emerging economies, highlighted concerns among workers who fear losing their jobs to AI technology.
The OECD’s 2023 Employment Outlook revealed that jobs with the highest risk of automation comprise an average of 27% of the labour force in OECD countries, with Eastern European nations being particularly vulnerable. These at-risk jobs were identified as heavily reliant on more than 25 out of 100 skills and abilities that AI experts consider easily automated.
A survey by the OECD last year, covering 5,300 workers across seven OECD countries in industries such as manufacturing and finance, found that three out of five workers are apprehensive about losing their jobs to AI within the next decade.
It is worth noting that this survey was carried out before the rise of generative AI models such as ChatGPT.
Despite concerns surrounding the impact of AI on employment, two-thirds of workers who already work alongside AI reported that automation has made their jobs less monotonous and hazardous.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann emphasized the importance of policy actions to determine how AI will affect workers and whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Cormann stated that governments should assist workers in adapting to these changes and capitalize on the opportunities that AI will bring.
The OECD recommended measures such as minimum wages, collective bargaining, and ensuring workers’ rights are safeguarded to mitigate the potential adverse effects of AI on wages and employment.
As the artificial intelligence revolution progresses, it remains to be seen how policymakers, industries, and workers will navigate the evolving landscape and strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of AI and addressing the challenges it poses to employment.
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