T he rapid advance of artificial opportunities for innovation and productivity gains, it also poses significant challenges, particularly regarding its impact on job quality and the unequal benefits that may accrue across countries and groups of workers. A multidimensional ‘AI divide’ is emerging. In high-income countries, where AI adoption will likely be swift, the potential for intelligence has the potential to reshape the world of work. While the technology offers immense productivity gains is significant. Wealthy countries are better equipped to harness AI, leading to the augmentation of existing jobs and creation of new jobs in technologically advanced sectors. However, this same technology threatens to displace some of their workers who are in occupations that are highly susceptible to automation, particularly in clerical and administrative positions. The potential displacement of workers in these occupations risks exacerbating existing gender inequalities, given that women are over-represented in these positions. In contrast, low- and middle-income countries lag in AI adoption. This lag, often due to inadequate digital infrastructure and limited access to technology, temporarily buffers workers in these countries from
Bridging the AI divide: ensuring inclusive growth and job quality
Without intervention, the AI-driven digital economy risks widening the gap between rich and poor countries and socio-economic groups within them, exacerbating inequality, poverty and social unrest while squandering future opportunities
Gilbert F Houngbo , director-general, International Labour Organization
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G20 BRAZIL: THE RIO SUMMIT — 2024
globalgovernanceproject.org
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