CNN Highlights Analysis from University of North Carolina
Jobs with High Female Representation in Medical Support, Education, and Administration Expected to Be Impacted
Amid growing global concerns over job reductions due to the generative artificial intelligence (AI) boom, a study highlighting that women will face greater employment insecurity than men is gaining attention. The analysis suggests that office jobs, where women are more heavily represented, will be hit hardest by AI, while men, who have a relatively higher proportion of production jobs, will experience less impact on their employment.
According to CNN and other outlets on the 21st (local time), Professor Mark McNeilly of the University of North Carolina Business School and others analyzed in a research report released last April that the U.S. labor market will experience gender-differentiated impacts due to generative AI automation.
Based on Goldman Sachs’ earlier report identifying 15 occupations likely to be affected by AI automation, Professor McNeilly and his team estimated that 79% of American women and 58% of American men will be impacted in their jobs. This means 8 out of 10 women and 6 out of 10 men face the threat of job loss due to AI. In terms of labor market size, there are 58.87 million women and 48.62 million men. Although the total number of male workers in the labor market is higher, the number of workers at risk of job loss due to AI is greater among women.
The reason for this analysis is that women have a higher representation in office jobs, which are more vulnerable to AI disruption. Professor McNeilly analyzed that the ratio of women in office jobs to production jobs is 7 to 3, whereas for men it is 5 to 5. Looking at specific occupations, women accounted for over 70% in medical support and medical technology, education, and office administration. In the medical support sector, including nursing assistants and dental hygienists, women’s representation was highest at 84.6%.
Julia Pollak, Chief Economist at U.S. online recruitment company ZipRecruiter, said, "Most people intuitively know that automating office work is easier than automating jobs typically held by carpenters, electricians, or pest control workers," adding, "These jobs tend to be much more male-dominated." However, she also noted, "These technologies will create many other opportunities."
CNN pointed out that AI’s emergence could reverse the current situation where women’s labor force participation has reached an all-time high following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the labor force participation rate for women aged 25 to 54 in the U.S. reached a record high of 77.6% in May. CNN explained that this increase was due to expanded work flexibility such as the spread of remote work and rising wages in low-paying jobs facing labor shortages.
Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at the U.S. economic research organization The Conference Board, said generative AI is both an opportunity and a threat, with impacts varying by industry. She added, "Over time, some jobs will be replaced, but just like with other technological advancements we have seen, people will find other work."
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