Introduction
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently published a report titled “AI Generative and Jobs: A Refinement Global Index of Occupational Exposure,” which provides a more precise view of which jobs are being transformed by AI technology and which have structural barriers against automation.
Understanding the AI Impact on Jobs
AI’s impact on jobs is not uniform across all occupations. Some roles, like data capturers, accounting assistants, and financial analysts, are more susceptible to AI-driven automation due to their repetitive, highly structured, and digitalizable tasks. In contrast, jobs requiring manual skills, physical contact, or context-based decision-making—such as construction workers, agricultural laborers, and cleaning staff—remain largely unaffected by AI technology.
The ILO’s Job Exposure Index
The ILO constructed a job exposure index based on over 400 recognized employment categories from the ISCO-08 system. This index categorizes each job not only by sector but also by the type of tasks it involves. This distinction is crucial, as AI generative technology impacts jobs differently; it penetrates more forcefully into roles with repetitive, highly structured, and digitalizable functions.
Most Exposed Jobs to AI
According to the report, these are the 10 jobs most exposed to AI generative technology:
- Data Capturer
- Mechanographer
- Accounting Assistant
- Administrative Assistant in Finance or Insurance
- Payroll Employee
- Financial Analyst
- Call Center Sales Executive
- General Office Clerk
- Stockbroker or Securities Advisor
- Web Developer or Multimedia Content Developer
Least Exposed Jobs to AI
On the other hand, these jobs are considered least exposed to AI generative technology:
- Water and Wood Collector
- Street Sweeper or Cleaner
- Waste Collector and Recyclable Material Gatherer
- Construction Workers
- Forestry Worker
- Agricultural Laborer
- Car Washer
- Building Janitor
- Hunters and Trappers
- Plumbers and Electricians
Impact on Tasks, Not Entire Jobs
A key finding of the report is that few occupations are fully exposed to automation. Most jobs combine tasks that can be assumed by generative systems with others still requiring human judgment. Thus, instead of replacing jobs entirely, AI allows for the internal composition modification of a position.
Global Impact and Distribution
The report estimates that one in four jobs worldwide (25%) is at risk of being transformed by AI generative technology. However, the impact’s distribution is uneven, with more digitized economies and a higher concentration of administrative jobs facing greater exposure.
- High-Income Countries: Up to 34% of jobs show some level of exposure to this technology.
- Low-Income Countries: The proportion drops to 11%.
This reality presents a dual challenge: while some countries must anticipate accelerated automation processes, others need to avoid falling behind in accessing emerging technologies that could enhance productivity and labor conditions if integrated with public policies prioritizing equity and human development.
