Artificial intelligence is expected to affect nearly 40 percent of all jobs globally, according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund. At the same time, the fund's chief executive, Kristalina Georgieva, argues that "in most scenarios, AI is likely to exacerbate inequality."
According to the report, artificial intelligence is expected to affect an even larger proportion of jobs, about 60 percent, in developed countries with advanced economies. The foundation argues that this doesn't necessarily mean that AI will replace humans – they argue that in at least half of the cases, employees could benefit from integrating AI into their work, thereby improving their productivity.
China is calling for talks on controlling artificial intelligence. Photo Archive: Reuters
The gap between the countries is expected to grow
The IMF did not deny that there will be many cases in which artificial intelligence will be able to perform key tasks performed so far by humans, leading to a reduction in manpower, affecting wages and even wiping out jobs.
At the same time, the fund says technology will affect only 26 percent of jobs in developing countries with backward economies. "Many of these countries don't have the infrastructure or skilled workforce to harness the benefits of AI," Georgieva said, raising the risk that inequality between countries will increase over time."
More generally, the fund expects that with the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, high-income workers and young people may see disproportionate increases in wages, while low-income workers and older adults may be left behind and affected.
Artificial intelligence chat, illustration, photo: GettyImages
International regulatory efforts
The IMF's report comes as leaders from around the world are currently gathering at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The topic of artificial intelligence is expected to come up in the discussions, following the rise in popularity of the technology and chatbots such as ChatGPT.
It should be noted that the entire issue of artificial intelligence technology is facing increasing regulatory attempts around the world, with only last month the European Union reaching an agreement on passing a series of comprehensive laws designed to regulate the use of the technology.
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