More than 200 jobs cut at International Labour Organization as US slashes funding
The US accounts for 22 per cent of the ILO's $880 million two-year budget for 2026-2027, expected to be approved at the ILO's International Labour Conference next week.
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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Why women are 3 times more likely than men to lose jobs to AI, as per ILO study
As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and automates tasks at lightning speed, a new global study has uncovered a troubling truth: Women are three times more likely than men to lose their jobs to AI. The study, conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency, shows that this fast-moving wave of automation isn't hitting everyone equally— and women are bearing the brunt of it. The numbers tell a stark story In wealthier countries, around 10% of jobs held by women are at high risk of being replaced by AI. In contrast, only 3.5% of male-held jobs fall into that category. This isn't just about automation—it's about widening the gender gap in the workplace. So, what's behind this imbalance? The jobs most at risk According to the ILO, AI is especially likely to replace clerical and administrative roles—jobs like typists, data entry clerks, bookkeepers, and even some financial analysts and software developers. These positions are often repetitive, rule-based, and highly digitized, making them ideal targets for tools like generative AI. And guess what? These roles are mostly held by women. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Watsons URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo 'Clerical jobs face the highest exposure of all,' says the ILO report. Senior economist Janine Berg adds, 'We need clarity and context—not just AI hype—so countries can prepare their labor markets for a fairer future.' It's not just low-level jobs anymore What's even more concerning is that AI is starting to creep into higher-skilled fields too. Jobs in software, finance, and media—once considered safe from automation—are now at risk because of how digital and data-driven they've become. That means even women in high-paying, cognitively demanding roles aren't safe from the impact of AI. The gender gap is growing Jobs that are relatively safe from AI—like cleaners, dentists, performers, and sanitation workers—are less likely to be held by women. This creates a dangerous imbalance that could widen existing gaps in pay, employment, and career advancement. Marek Troszyński, co-author of the ILO study, highlights the importance of this research: 'This tool helps identify where GenAI will have the biggest impact, so countries can prepare and protect workers.' A call for smarter policies The ILO is urging governments, employers, and labor organizations to take action—now. The goal? To make sure AI helps improve job quality and productivity without leaving women behind. Tech isn't neutral— And neither should our response be At the heart of this study is a powerful message: AI doesn't work in a vacuum. It reflects and amplifies existing social structures—including biases. If we don't act now, AI could deepen inequality in the workforce. But with smart, inclusive policies and proactive planning, we can shape a future where technology supports equity—not exclusion. The bottom line The AI revolution is here, and it's changing how we work. The real question is: Will we let it deepen the gender divide, or will we use it to build a more inclusive world of work? The answer depends on what we do next. Why India's mental health crisis needs urgent attention One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
AI poses a greater threat to women in the workforce, but why? ILO study reveals alarming gender gap predictions
Behind the Numbers: Why Women Are More at Risk You Might Also Like: Is the AI takeover driving Gen Z back to traditional jobs amid uncertainty in white-collar careers? Beyond Clerical: The Expanding Reach of AI The Gendered Future of Work Technology Isn't Neutral—Policy Shouldn't Be Either As artificial intelligence continues to sweep through offices, industries, and workflows, a new global study has laid bare a stark gender disparity in its impact. According to the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO), women are three times more likely than men to lose their jobs to AI-driven automation. In an age already defined by digital transformation, this revelation has added a sobering new layer to the conversation around technological high-income nations, nearly 10% of female-held jobs fall under high-risk categories susceptible to AI automation. That's a striking contrast to just 3.5% of male-held roles. This isn't just a statistic—it's a glimpse into a future where automation may not only rewrite job descriptions, but exacerbate existing inequalities in the labor ILO's findings were compiled through an innovative index that calculates the risk of job transformation or outright replacement by AI. The roles most under threat? Clerical and administrative jobs—positions heavily populated by include typists, bookkeepers, data entry clerks, and even roles traditionally requiring specialized skills like financial analysts and software developers. The reason for the high exposure lies in the very nature of these jobs—repetitive, rule-based, and digitized—which makes them ripe for replacement by tools like generative AI.'Clerical jobs face the highest exposure of all,' the ILO report states, pointing out that GenAI can theoretically replicate many of their tasks. Senior economist Janine Berg warns against buying into the AI hype without a grounded understanding: 'What we need is clarity and context. This tool helps countries across the world assess potential exposure and prepare their labor markets for a fairer digital future.'What's particularly unsettling is that it's not just low-level clerical work under threat. As AI capabilities expand, so does its reach into more cognitively demanding roles. The ILO notes that jobs in software, finance, and media are now showing signs of increased vulnerability due to their highly digitized suggests that even women in high-skill, high-pay roles aren't immune. The AI wave is not just washing over entry-level tasks—it's creeping into creative and analytical domains that were once considered safe from some roles—like cleaners, dentists, performers, and garbage collectors—remain relatively shielded from AI, the jobs being replaced are more commonly held by women. This imbalance risks widening existing gender gaps in employment , pay, and career Troszyński, senior expert at NASK and co-author of the ILO study, stressed the tool's significance in guiding national policy: 'This index helps identify where GenAI is likely to have the biggest impact, so countries can better prepare and protect workers.'The ILO is now urging governments, employers, and labor organizations to work collaboratively on proactive strategies. The goal: harness AI to enhance job quality and productivity without sacrificing inclusion and equity in the its core, the ILO's study is a warning siren: AI doesn't operate in a vacuum. It mirrors and magnifies existing societal structures—biases included. As the global workforce braces for the inevitable AI reshaping, there's a clear call to timely intervention, the automation revolution could become yet another chapter in the long history of gendered labor inequality. But with strategic planning, policy engagement, and equitable design, the rise of AI doesn't have to come at the cost of women's future is being written by algorithms—but who gets to keep their job may depend on the decisions we make today.
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Deccan Herald
More than 200 jobs cut at International Labour Organization as US slashes funding
The US accounts for 22 per cent of the ILO's $880 million two-year budget for 2026-2027, expected to be approved at the ILO's International Labour Conference next week.
