The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is raising concern among workers as it more than a quarter of jobs in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) could easily be automatedaccording to a report presented by the OECD.
Although there is little evidence so far of a significant impact of AI on employment, it is believed that this is because the revolution is still in its early stages.
The OECD report, entitled “Employment Outlook 2023”, reveals that 27% of the average workforce in OECD countries is in jobs with a high risk of automation.
Eastern European countries are the most exposed to this situation. Higher-risk jobs are defined as those that require the use of more than 25 of the 100 skills and abilities that AI experts believe can be easily automated.
The survey that set off the alarms
In accordance with Reutersa survey carried out by the OECD last year revealed that three in five workers fear losing their jobs to AI in the next 10 years. This survey, which involved 5,300 workers at 2,000 companies in seven OECD countries, was carried out before the advent of generative AI such as ChatGPT.
Despite the anxiety generated by AI, the report shows that two-thirds of workers who already interact with it have experienced a reduction in the risks and monotony of their jobs thanks to automation. However, OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann stressed that the ultimate impact of AI on workers will depend on the policy measures that are taken.
cormann stressed the importance of governments helping workers prepare for the changes and take advantage of the opportunities brought by AI. He suggested that minimum wages and collective bargaining could help mitigate the pressure that AI puts on wages. Furthermore, he stressed the need for governments and regulators to ensure that workers’ rights are not compromised in this process of automation.