The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported that we may be on the brink of an AI revolution, with occupations classified at the highest risk of automation accounting for about 27 percent of employment.
OECD has published its Employment Outlook 2023 Report with the title “Artificial Intelligence and the Labor Market”.
In the report, which analyzed the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market, it was stated that although companies’ use of artificial intelligence is still relatively low, rapid progress in technology, falling costs and the increase in employees with artificial intelligence skills show that OECD countries may be on the verge of an “artificial intelligence revolution”.
The report noted that, given the impact of artificial intelligence, occupations classified at the highest risk of automation account for about 27 percent of employment.
It was pointed out in the report that low and medium-skilled jobs such as construction, farming, fishing and forestry are most at risk, and high-skilled occupations are at least at risk of automation.
Employees worried about losing their jobs to AI
The report found little evidence to date of adverse employment impacts among firms using AI, with workers and employers reporting that AI can reduce tedious and dangerous tasks, resulting in greater worker engagement and physical safety.
At the same time, the report pointed out that 3 out of 5 employees are worried about losing their jobs completely to artificial intelligence in the next 10 years, and it was stated that employees are also worried that the wages in their own sectors will decrease due to artificial intelligence.
The report emphasized that governments should encourage employers to provide more training, integrate AI skills into education and support diversity in the AI workforce.
Labor markets remain tight
On the other hand, the report stated that although the global economy has slowed significantly since 2021, OECD labor markets remain tight.
Employment has fully recovered since the Covid-19 crisis and unemployment is at its lowest level since the early 1970s, the report said.
Emphasizing that nominal hourly wages have risen but have not kept pace with inflation until now, it was stated that this situation caused real wages to fall in almost all OECD countries.
Employment across the OECD is predicted to continue to increase in 2023 and 2024, the report said.