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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The overlooked casualties of AI: Which women-led jobs face the highest risk?
It's been years of navigating a male-dominated corporate world, where women have had to push harder to stay competitive. Today, as they continue to hold their ground, a new challenge emerges: the race to match their male counterparts in upskilling amid the rapid rise of AI and automation. The bigger concern: if they don't, will their traditional roles be taken over by machines? It's not just talk, a recent survey brings this reality to light. According to a recent ILO report , 9.6% of jobs predominantly held by women are three times more vulnerable to AI-driven disruption compared to just 3.5% of roles typically occupied by men. Which women-dominated roles are most vulnerable to AI disruption? The imbalance stems from the types of roles women have traditionally held in the workforce, many of which sit squarely in the crosshairs of automation. These include clerical and administrative jobs that once demanded constant multitasking, from scheduling meetings and managing records to handling data manually, tasks that AI can now perform with ease. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Other roles heavily occupied by women and facing disruption include: Secretarial positions: Traditionally staffed by women, secretarial roles involve tasks like scheduling, correspondence, and document preparation, all of which are now being handled efficiently by AI-powered virtual assistants and smart scheduling and payroll clerks: These positions rely heavily on rule-based processes and data handling, which are increasingly being automated by accounting software and AI-driven payroll platforms, reducing the need for manual centre support staff: AI chatbots and voice assistants are rapidly transforming customer support by resolving common queries in real time, reducing the need for human-operated call centres where women have historically been and front-desk coordinators: Automated check-in systems, facial recognition tools, and AI-driven visitor management software are replacing traditional front-desk responsibilities, especially in office and hospitality settings. Mitigating the risks: What proactive actions are government bodies taking To counter the disproportionate impact of AI and automation on the workforce, governments across the globe are beginning to take proactive steps to ensure women are not left behind in the digital transition . Here are a few recent initiatives: New York's platform: Launched by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, this platform connects women with job opportunities and businesses in high-growth sectors. Through its 'Digital Office Hours' programme, it offers one-on-one sessions with industry experts, enabling personalised support and guidance for women looking to grow in tech-oriented Arabia's Elevate initiative by SDAIA: Rolled out by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Elevate initiative is a global programme aimed at equipping women with advanced skills in data and artificial intelligence. In collaboration with international tech partners, it offers intensive training, mentorship, and career development opportunities to increase women's participation in the digital sAIdaty 2025 program: The initiative launched by the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) and Oracle is designed to upskill women professionals and entrepreneurs in AI and digital transformation. It provides training sessions, workshops, and mentorship to help women integrate AI technologies into their businesses and Women in AI (WAI) community: A nonprofit initiative founded in Paris is dedicated to increasing female representation in AI and data science. WAI, the community-driven program offers training sessions, expert talks, and career development resources, ensuring women have the skills and support needed to thrive in AI-related fields. How HR leaders can safeguard women's roles in today's AI world Taking lessons from the above-mentioned government initiatives, HR leaders can play a critical role in ensuring gender equity in the age of AI. Here's how they can drive meaningful change: Cultivate a culture of empowerment over fear: To get started, the first thing HR leaders should do is foster a culture where women don't fear AI but are encouraged to engage with it. Empower them to embrace lifelong learning, experiment with AI tools, and take ownership of their digital future. This mindset shift lays the groundwork for all subsequent actions, ensuring women are not just passive recipients of change but active leaders shaping roles for automation risk through a gender lens: With a culture of openness in place, the next step should be to examine the landscape. HR should identify which job functions are most exposed to AI-driven disruption, particularly those where women are overrepresented, such as administration, data entry, and customer service. This diagnostic exercise reveals gender-specific vulnerabilities and offers a data-backed foundation for targeted job roles for the ones at highest risk: Based on audit insights, restructure the most vulnerable roles. Infuse them with tasks that leverage distinctly human capabilities, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. By doing so, organisations not only safeguard these roles from obsolescence but also enable women to grow into future-ready positions that demand more strategic input and inclusive upskilling programmes for internal transition: To support these role transitions, HR leaders must champion inclusive learning and development initiatives. Tailor upskilling pathways to the specific needs of women in at-risk jobs, focusing on AI literacy, digital fluency, data interpretation, and agile problem-solving. Programmes should be accessible, flexible, and responsive to varied learning styles and career senior leaders to serve as active mentors: Finally, no transformation is complete without leadership commitment. HR should mobilise senior leaders, especially those in tech, to actively mentor, coach, and sponsor women navigating these shifts. When leaders invest their time and influence, it not only boosts confidence and visibility but also accelerates women's progression into high-impact, tech-forward roles. Women have spent decades fighting for a seat at the table; now that table is being rebuilt by AI. As an HR leader, this is your moment to ensure that the new table is designed with equity at its core. That means not only protecting women from being displaced by automation but actively empowering them to lead in the age of AI. By embedding inclusive learning pathways, reimagining roles with a gender lens, and mobilising mentorship at scale, HR can transform this technological shift into a catalyst for lasting gender equity.
Time Out
22-05-2025
- Time Out
Yes, even the Rockaway Ferry is going to be more expensive this summer
The sun is out, the lifeguards are back and NYC Ferry is once again riding the wave of summer demand. This week, the city announced the return of its souped-up seasonal ferry services—the Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket—just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the city's annual beach pilgrimage. With Rockaway Beach welcoming more than 167,000 ferry riders last summer and total ferry ridership already trending 5-percent higher than last year, the NYC Economic Development Corporation is bracing for another packed season on the water. To meet the moment, the ferry system's summer schedule is back in full swing, and it's bringing reinforcements. Starting this weekend through September 7, Rockaway Reserve lets riders book specific ferry trips to and from the Rockaways on weekends and holidays, complete with priority boarding and a guaranteed seat for $12, up from ten bucks last summer. And if you're more about speed than spontaneity, the Rockaway Rocket launches on July 4, offering express service from Long Island City and Greenpoint straight to the beach, with two morning departures and two return trips each weekend. Don't worry, the $4.50 standard fare (or $2.90 with a 10-pack, or $1.45 reduced) still gets you a ride, just without the bells, whistles or seat guarantee. And yes, you can bring your bike, but you'll need to book a free bike ticket in the app if you're reserving a spot on the Reserve or Rocket. 'As Rockaway's historic renaissance continues, ensuring New Yorkers and tourists alike have easy access to the peninsula's acclaimed beaches, cuisine and culture is a critical investment in its economic health more than anything else,' said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. 'So I couldn't be more excited to welcome back the Rockaway Rocket and the Rockaway Reserve for what's shaping up to be another successful beach season.'
