IMF Says AI Can Unemploy 40% of Global Workforce

International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva underscored the potential upheaval that artificial intelligence (AI) could bring to the global job market.

Georgieva, ahead of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, expressed apprehension that nearly 40% of jobs worldwide could face the impact of AI, leading to exacerbated inequality. As AI integration progresses, Georgieva called for proactive measures by governments to establish social safety nets and provide retraining programs to mitigate the repercussions.

AI's Deepening Impact on Inequality

Georgieva emphasized that, in most scenarios, AI is likely to worsen overall inequality, prompting the urgent need for policymakers to address the potential social tensions arising from this trend. The impending annual WEF meeting will place this critical issue high on its agenda. The ski resort town of Davos is already adorned with AI advertisements and branding, setting the stage for discussions on the profound implications of AI.

Global Job Markets in the Crosshairs

According to CNN, Georgieva said that as AI becomes increasingly integrated into various sectors, its impact on the workforce is anticipated to be beneficial and detrimental. Advanced economies are expected to bear the brunt of these effects, with white-collar workers facing more significant risks than their manual labor counterparts.

In developed economies, up to 60% of jobs could be influenced by AI, with approximately half potentially benefiting from increased productivity. However, the other half may face challenges as AI applications replace human tasks, potentially leading to lower demand for labor, reduced hiring, and, in extreme cases, job disappearance.

According to Business Mirror, Georgieva's analysis also revealed that emerging markets and lower-income nations are not immune to the impact of AI, with 40% and 26% of jobs expected to be affected, respectively. The chief warned that many of these regions lack the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce to harness AI benefits, raising concerns about the potential exacerbation of inequality.

While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI, Georgieva urged stakeholders to ensure that AI benefits humanity. As the WEF meeting unfolds, discussions on the responsible integration of AI and its broader socioeconomic implications are expected to take center stage.

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