OECD: Generative AI is changing jobs that were previously thought to be secure

Generative AI has a greater impact on the labour market than previous automation processes, according to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to the report, regions and sectors in which the use of technology has only automated a few jobs in the past are primarily affected. The researchers therefore do not expect a decline in the number of jobs.

AI has an impact on jobs in cities

The scientists justify the influence of generative AI with its far-reaching applications. It enables the automation of cognitive and creative tasks for specialized workers. Because such jobs are predominantly located in urban areas and conurbations, the influence of automation is shifting from the countryside to the city. Up to now, automation processes have mainly changed jobs in production and manufacturing as well as occupations in rural areas, such as livestock farming or grain cultivation.

Already, professions that require a higher level of training are particularly affected by generative AI. These include programmers and database architects. However, according to the OECD, being affected by artificial intelligence does not necessarily mean a loss of jobs. An increase in the risk of automation has so far been accompanied by an increase in productivity of 5.6 percent within five years. At the same time, 61% of European employees expect to have to learn new skills due to the impact of AI on their job.

Financial sector strongly affected by generative AI in the future

According to the OECD report, the increasing influence of generative AI will primarily affect professions in the finance and insurance, communications and technology sectors. In contrast, fewer changes are expected as a result of artificial intelligence in agriculture, food production and construction. The scientists attribute this to the lower use of IT in these sectors.

In Germany, between 25 and 30 percent of employees come into contact with generative AI in their jobs. This is also confirmed by another study. The figure is significantly higher in the city states and Hesse. The researchers assume that the proportion of jobs heavily influenced by AI will rise to over 50 percent on average in the coming years. Although the difference between rural and urban regions is expected to be small compared to other EU countries, the researchers do expect a difference between the federal states. While only around 40 percent of jobs in Thuringia are expected to be heavily affected by artificial intelligence, they estimate the proportion for Berlin to be just under 70 percent.

The full report is available on the OECD website.

(sfe)