Credits By: TS2 Space
A new report by the McKinsey Global Institute reveals that women are at greater risk of losing their jobs to the rise of artificial intelligence and automation. The study forecasts that nearly a third of hours worked in the United States could be automated by 2030, affecting industries like food services, customer service, sales, and office support, where women are overrepresented.
The report highlights that women, along with black and Hispanic workers, those without college degrees, and both the youngest and oldest employees, are more likely to face job transitions by 2030. It estimates that at least 12 million workers will need to change jobs due to shrinking industries, impacting low-wage workers the most.
While advancements in artificial intelligence may lead to job losses in certain fields, the report also identifies potential benefits. For white-collar workers, automation could free up time from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative and strategic work. However, this transformation may be more applicable to male-dominated fields, leaving women in vulnerable positions.
The study suggests that generative AI could enhance the work of STEM, creative, business, and legal professionals, rather than replacing their jobs. Yet, these fields are dominated by men, leading to gender disparities in the potential advantages of AI.
Kerry McInerney, a research fellow, points out that new jobs created by technology may not all be desirable, with some workers potentially facing psychologically harmful roles like data labeling. This emphasizes the importance of training and retraining workers for the future job landscape.
Additionally, the report presents an opportunity for employers to recruit from overlooked populations, such as older workers, those without college degrees, individuals with disabilities or employment gaps, and former inmates. However, using AI in hiring poses challenges in treating candidates with diverse backgrounds equitably.
As the workforce evolves with AI and automation, employers must address gender and racial disparities, invest in training and upskilling, and ensure fair hiring practices to create an inclusive and sustainable job market for the future.
