The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries has raised concerns about its impact on the job market, particularly for women.

Why Women Are at a Higher Risk of Job Displacement due to AI

As AI technology continues to advance, there is a growing realization that women may be at a higher risk of job displacement. This trend is attributed to several factors:

1. Occupational Segregation 

Women are often concentrated in industries and occupations that involve routine, repetitive tasks—tasks that are more susceptible to automation. Jobs in administrative support, customer service, and certain manufacturing roles, which have traditionally employed a significant number of women, are more prone to being automated by AI.

2. Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap persists in many industries, and women are often paid less than their male counterparts for the same roles. When companies seek to cut costs by implementing AI and automation, jobs held predominantly by women may be targeted first, exacerbating existing gender disparities.

3. Underrepresentation in Tech

Women are underrepresented in the technology sector, which is at the forefront of AI development. A lack of diversity in AI teams can lead to biased algorithms and technologies that may not consider the specific needs and perspectives of women. This, in turn, can affect the types of jobs that are created or preserved by AI.

4. Lack of Reskilling Opportunities

As jobs evolve due to automation, there is a need for reskilling and upskilling to adapt to the changing demands of the workforce. Women, especially those in lower-skilled jobs, may face barriers to accessing reskilling opportunities, limiting their ability to transition to AI-resistant roles.

5. Automation of Care Work 

Women are disproportionately represented in care-related professions, such as nursing, teaching, and caregiving. While certain aspects of care work require human touch and empathy, routine and administrative tasks within these professions may be automated, leading to changes in job dynamics.

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could disproportionately affect women and disadvantaged groups in terms of job losses, according to a major new government report.

The policy paper, prepared by Ansh Bhatnagar, a research fellow at Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and Devyani Gajjar, a government digital sciences advisor states that Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to have a major impact on society, from everyday applications and decision-making.

It says, “There are implications for security, privacy, transparency, liability, labour rights, intellectual property and disinformation. It presents some risks and benefits to democracy more widely.” Additionally, the paper underlines the fact that there is currently no dedicated AI legislation in the UK.

The research warns that stakeholders have raised concerns that AI developments may disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups. Stating that the majority of clerical work is currently carried out by women, who may be exposed to higher levels of job losses.

It states that academics, think tanks, and technology trade associations have recommended that the Government should help workers retrain and gain relevant skills, and ensure that existing inequalities are not exacerbated.

The researchers state that there has also been an increase in generative AI used to manage office-based workers, particularly after the shift to remote and hybrid working during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes surveillance of workers, and use of AI in recruitment, such as sifting CVs.

John Kirk, Deputy CEO at ITG said: “The rapid pace of AI adoption will bring seismic changes to critical business functions like sales and marketing, accelerating productivity and empowering organisations to grow. However, the impact of these technologies on working practices must be carefully considered, with staff provided with the necessary tools and training they need to thrive in this new world of digital work.”

Solutions to Help Women Thrive in the AI Era

To address the potential negative impact of AI on women's employment, it is crucial to implement proactive measures:

1. Promoting Diversity in Tech 

Encouraging more women to pursue careers in technology and AI-related fields can contribute to a more inclusive development of these technologies.

2. Investing in Reskilling Programs 

Governments and businesses should invest in comprehensive reskilling programs that cater to workers at risk of job displacement, with a focus on ensuring equal access for women.

3. Addressing Bias in AI

Developers should actively work to identify and eliminate biases in AI algorithms to ensure fair outcomes for all demographic groups, including women.

4. Advoating Policy Initiatives 

Governments and organizations can implement policies that promote equal opportunities, fair wages, and protection against job displacement, particularly in industries where women are overrepresented.

By taking these steps, society can strive to ensure that the integration of AI into the workforce benefits everyone and does not perpetuate or exacerbate gender disparities.