Adversary Shifts Away from Artificial Intelligence
Integration of AI automation in the labor market is anticipated to have profound repercussions on the gender gap, disproportionately affecting women.
womens jobs are at a higher risk of being automated due to their prevalence in sectors such as administration, clerical work, and customer service, which are more susceptible to AI. According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), up to 9.6 percent of female employees in Germany could lose their jobs, almost triple the number of men at risk.
The skewed impact on women can be traced back to the systemic undervaluation of female labor, both in and out of the paid workforce. These gender roles have created a perception that certain tasks are less valuable, leading to lower pay and less prestige for women.
The shift towards AI-driven tasks demands new skills, and women may face obstacles in securing training opportunities, reinforcing existing inequalities. The narrative that women can seamlessly transition to more valuedpositions overlooks the structural devaluation of typical female work.
Care work, which is predominantly performed by women, cannot be replaced by AI. This essential work involves tasks such as care, education, and nutrition. As a result, it keeps us alive and necessitates prioritization, recognition, and adequate compensation.
While researchers at the ILO suggest that technological changes will not significantly increase unemployment, the focus should not merely be on preparing women for the new landscape of work. Instead, we must challenge the prevailing meritocratic approach that values only what is productive, efficient, and profitable. A shift in perspective is required to reevaluate and recognize the integral value of care work.
Women perform 44 percent more unpaid care work daily compared to men, a fact that requires recognition and prioritization in the discussion about gender gap in employment. Without addressing the underlying value of care work, the balance in the labor market will not shift significantly.
In conclusion, AI automation poses a threat to women in the labor market. However, with proactive policy interventions, inclusive reskilling programs, and a reconsideration of the value of care work, it is possible to mitigate these effects and ensure equitable opportunities for women.
- The integration of AI in the workplace-wellness sector could potentially enhance health-and-wellness initiatives for women, offering opportunities for personal-growth and education-and-self-development.
- To bridge the gap in employment due to AI automation, it is crucial to advocate for the scientific understanding of the integral value of women's work in domains such as care, education, and nutrition.
- Encouraging and facilitating the participation of women in training programs focusing on the science of AI and AI-related workplace-wellness could help empower them to excel in the evolving job market.
