The fear of losing a job and not having a role vacancy is prevailing among all kinds of employees. However, the AI-driven jobs seem to be displacing women a lot faster than men. The imbalance is leading to greater business risk and gender discrimination in the job crisis. This is happening largely due to the roles they hold, and research shows that the numbers are high. More than 6.1 million U.S. employees are now vulnerable to AI-driven disruption in their jobs, and more than 86% of those employees are female only. Global statistical data shows that automation is putting 9.6% of jobs at risk that are held by women, but the number is much higher when compared to men at 3.5%.
Industry experts are suggesting that this gender-based discrimination is already dominating various industries, and only the rise of AI has not initiated the issue. But it is definitely accelerating the process, and a big impact on the business landscape will soon be felt.
Workforce Design is a Competitive Risk
Women at work are mainly holding the administrative and operational roles to handle the essential functions that run the business. Since these job roles are mainly based on managing coordination, documentation, and other internal processes, it gets easier to automate with the help of AI. Since women have already been facing discrimination, AI influence is working like a catalyst with amplified results. It is a hidden risk for the companies and their workforce.
AI-driven Shift in Values
Since AI is replacing the routine tasks, the value of work is shifted from the execution of the task. It is now based on creativity, strategy, and judgment, and the influence can already be noticed in the industries that are heavily dependent on content. Starting from writing, content marketing, and media, every aspect is flooded with AI-generated output. As a result, differentiation and standing out have become a must in order to stay at a competitive advantage. Expertise and trust are the two main elements to improve value.
Economic Impact on Revenue
If AI takes over the job of women, it will offer a great economic impact in America as they make nearly half of the U.S. workforce and help to make 80% of the household purchase decisions. If women stop earning, the consumer market will crash, and that will directly impact the business revenue. It can create a feedback loop for the business leaders.
Skill Gap: A Business Problem
While AI adoption is important to survive in this digital age, it is moving at a higher pace than the readiness of the workforce. Employees who are being exposed to the workforce now, a majority of them do not have any experience working with artificial intelligence. This creates a major skill gap among the technology companies as they must use it effectively. It is not AI tools but a big investment that should come back with maximum returns (ROI).
What to do Now?
AI adoption is definitely important in the modern era, but you also need a workforce strategy to make it successful. Instead of just cutting costs, companies should redesign their business through,
- Investing in AI Training for Employees.
- Focusing on Higher-value and Human-driven jobs.
- Making transition paths for the employees who are at risk.
This is not just preserving a job but also maintaining the value according to the modern landscape.
Since the inception of AI, a massive business transformation has taken place in dynamic industries. Currently, women employees are at a greater risk of job displacement due to the AI-driven structure of the business landscape. It is time to reach a fair point with no gender-based job discrimination.
