Generative artificial intelligence could significantly transform jobs and boost productivityd in Latin America and the Caribbean, but existing gaps in digital infrastructure could hinder its potential advantages, suggests a new study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the world Bank.
The report notes that between 26% and 38% of jobs in the region could be influenced by generative artificial intelligence. However, Technology is more likely to augment and transform jobs than to completely automate them.
Low risk of full automation
The ILO estimates that between 8% and 14% of jobs could improve their productivity thanks to new technology, while Only 2% to 5% are at risk of full automationIt also notes that women, as well as urban, younger and educated workers in formal sectors, face greater risks of automation from generative AI, which could worsen regional economic inequalities and informality.
The study explains that the potential transformative benefits of generative AI on jobs are more evenly distributed across workers in terms of gender and age, but are still more likely to affect formal jobs that are located in urban areas and held by workers with more education and higher incomes. Salaried and self-employed workers would be most likely to benefit.
But The magnitude of the digital divide in the region could prevent workers from taking full advantage the potential benefits of generative artificial intelligence, the ILO and the World Bank emphasize, adding that this could affect nearly half of jobs, as they would experience greater productivity with this technology, which corresponds to seven million jobs for women and ten million jobs for men in the region.
The potential loss of productivity due to this gap in digital access would have a greatest impact on workers living in poverty.
Inclusive social dialogue
ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes stressed that effective management of the impacts of generative artificial intelligence requires strong and inclusive social dialogue bringing together all stakeholders.
Fostering meaningful conversations between policymakers, industry leaders, workers and unions can ensure that the transformative power of generative AI is harnessed in a way that responsible and addressing the needs of all workersMoreira said.
For his part, the World Bank’s chief economist, William Maloney, stressed that in a region where growth is low, inequality remains high and one in four households still lives in poverty, “it is essential to improve productivity and the quality of employment,” adding that new digital technologies can help in this regard.
Five recommendations
To fully harness the potential of generative AI and mitigate the risks it entails, the study makes five recommendations:
- Implement lifelong learning programs to mitigate job losses and improve productivity
- Strengthening core competencies of workers to boost productivity and creativity with generative artificial intelligence
- Improving social protection systems to stabilize transitions and address gender gaps
- Improve infrastructure digital and encourage the adoption of digital technologies
- in their transition to the formal sector to improve their chances of benefiting from Helping informal sector workers generative artificial intelligence
Add Comment