AI threatens jobs mainly in wealthy countries, World Bank report shows
A recent World Bank publication shows that workers in wealthy countries are much more vulnerable to job losses as a result of artificial intelligence than workers in less developed regions. The data indicate that the likelihood of automation in rich economies is more than three times higher, with around 14.2% of jobs under threat, compared with just 4.5% in low- or middle-income countries.
Despite these risks, the report stresses that AI has the potential to increase productivity worldwide on a similar scale. Specifically, it is estimated that 16.2% of positions in developing countries could achieve efficiency gains, a figure that almost matches the 18.7% forecast for high-income countries.
Indermit Gill, chief economist at the World Bank, noted that underdeveloped regions do not need huge data centres or complex models to benefit from these advantages. Instead, affordable, modest AI applications could drastically improve public services – including healthcare, agriculture and education – for millions of people.
The authors warn, however, that such progress depends on the rollout of the necessary infrastructure. To be able to harness these technologies, governments in poorer countries must prioritise a stable electricity supply and widespread Internet connectivity.
The World Bank warns that the absence of targeted strategic measures could lead to greater global inequalities, deeper internal disparities and an unhealthy concentration of market influence.
For classification purposes, the report groups the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and various European states as high-income countries. Middle-income countries include, among others, India, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico and Thailand, while low-income countries include Uganda, Syria, Ethiopia and Afghanistan.
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