The AI impact on women’s jobs significantly outpaces that on men’s, according to a new report by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). The report reveals that 9.6% of traditionally female roles are likely to undergo transformation, compared to just 3.5% of male-dominated jobs.
Many of these at-risk roles include administrative and clerical positions, fields where women hold a majority. Tasks like scheduling, data entry, and office coordination are increasingly being handled by AI tools, especially generative AI systems.
However, the ILO clarified that AI will not completely automate most jobs. “This exposure reflects the potential for a large share of tasks to shift, not for entire roles to vanish,” the report noted. Workers will still play critical roles, particularly in areas requiring emotional intelligence, oversight, or creativity.
In wealthier nations, the AI impact on women’s jobs appears more severe. These countries often have larger office-based workforces and quicker adoption of automation technologies. In contrast, women in lower-income economies perform more manual and service-oriented work, which AI cannot yet replace.
The report also identified other industries undergoing rapid change. Finance, software, and media jobs are adapting to AI’s growing capabilities. Workers in these sectors must adjust quickly as new technologies reshape the skills required for their roles.
To address these challenges, the ILO urged governments, employers, and labor unions to create strategies that guide AI use. They suggested focusing on ways to enhance job quality rather than cut roles entirely. They also stressed the importance of retraining programs, particularly for women in administrative jobs.
Unlike other reports that warn of mass job loss, this study offers a more balanced view. It argues that AI will transform how people work rather than eliminate entire careers. But without proactive action, these shifts could widen existing gender inequalities.
In conclusion, the AI impact on women’s jobs is both urgent and unavoidable. Leaders must act now to ensure that women benefit from AI advancements just as much as they are challenged by them.
