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Women workers could face a sharper impact from artificial intelligence-led automation than men. According to recent studies by the International Labour Organization (ILO), workers in clerical, administrative, and support roles face a growing risk of job loss. Coincidentally, women form a large share of this workforce.
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An ILO study said women’s jobs are more exposed to generative AI in 88% of countries analysed. The report found that around 29% of female-dominated occupations face exposure to generative AI, compared to 16% of male-dominated jobs.
The gap becomes wider in high-income economies. The ILO said 9.6% of women’s employment falls into high-risk automation categories, against 3.5% for men.
Researchers linked the trend to the nature of jobs women largely occupy. Administrative assistants, payroll staff, receptionists, and customer support workers handle repetitive tasks that AI tools can increasingly perform.
Brookings Institution data cited in a recent Financial Times report estimated that over 85% of workers in highly exposed clerical and administrative roles are women.
Companies have already started using AI tools to draft emails, prepare reports, manage schedules, and handle routine customer queries.
The Financial Times report said job postings for administrative assistance roles in the US have dropped 5.4% below pre-pandemic levels.
Jennifer Maffei, a recruiter specialising in administrative staff hiring, told the publication that more workers are being laid off as firms invest in AI systems. “They’re all from the big companies,” she said while describing the rise in layoffs linked to automation.
Researchers also flagged another concern: Women use AI tools less than men. A Harvard study referenced in multiple reports found women use AI at a rate 25% lower than men. The ILO said women account for only around 30% of the global AI workforce.
Experts warned that lower participation in AI training and digital skill programs could widen existing workplace inequalities as automation expands.
The findings are significant for India, where a large section of women workers is concentrated in the service sector and informal employment.
Economists said automation may not eliminate jobs immediately, but workers will increasingly need digital and technical skills to stay employable.
Labour experts have called for targeted reskilling programs, affordable digital education, and stronger workplace training support for women workers.
Researchers said the long-term impact of AI will depend less on the technology itself and more on how governments and companies prepare workers for the transition.
