Women Facing Job Disruption by AI: ILO Study
Women Are Three Times More Likely to Lose Jobs to AI: Unpacking the Latest ILO Study and What It Means for the Future of Work
In the relentless march of artificial intelligence reshaping work worldwide, a stark new reality has emerged: women are disproportionately vulnerable to job disruption by AI technologies. According to a groundbreaking 2025 study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with Poland’s National Research Institute of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (NASK), women’s jobs are three times more likely to be replaced or transformed by AI compared to men’s. This finding is not just a statistic — it’s a wake-up call about the intersection of gender, technology, and economic opportunity in a rapidly digitizing world[2][3][4].
Why this matters
As AI technologies like generative AI, automation, and robotics expand their reach, millions of jobs across sectors are at risk of significant transformation or outright replacement. The ILO’s latest global employment forecast warns of up to 7 million jobs lost worldwide in 2025 alone due to technological disruption and economic uncertainty[1]. But the burden of this disruption is unevenly distributed. The new ILO-NASK study reveals that nearly 10% of female-held positions in high-income countries face automation exposure, compared to just 3.5% of male-held roles[3]. In real terms, this means that women are facing a triple threat from AI-based automation — a disparity that intensifies in advanced economies.
What the study found — deep dive into the data
The ILO-NASK research analyzed over 2,500 professions and 29,000 work tasks by combining survey data from 1,640 workers in Poland with sophisticated AI modeling. It assessed the likelihood of these roles being automated or transformed by AI tools, particularly generative AI, which can automate complex cognitive tasks across industries[4]. The findings were eye-opening:
- In high-income countries, 41% of jobs held predominantly by women are exposed to AI, versus 28% of men’s jobs.
- In Europe and Central Asia, women’s jobs face a 39% exposure rate, compared to 26% for men.
- Globally, one in four workers hold jobs with some level of AI exposure, indicating widespread transformation[3][4].
This pattern largely reflects occupational segregation — women are overrepresented in sectors and roles more susceptible to AI automation, such as administrative support, clerical work, customer service, and certain healthcare roles. These jobs often involve routine, repetitive tasks that AI excels at automating. Meanwhile, men tend to dominate sectors like engineering, IT, and managerial roles, which currently show lower exposure to AI replacement but may still undergo transformation.
Historical and structural context
The gender gap in AI job displacement isn’t a new phenomenon but rather a deepening of existing labor market inequalities. For decades, women have disproportionately occupied lower-paid, lower-skilled jobs with less opportunity for career progression. The rise of AI, rather than leveling the playing field, risks reinforcing these divides.
The historical underrepresentation of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields also exacerbates the problem. As AI systems evolve, jobs requiring technical expertise or complex decision-making tend to be more resilient or even grow, while routine roles are automated away. Without significant efforts to reskill and upskill women into emerging tech-driven fields, the gender disparity in AI impact will widen further.
Real-world examples and industry impact
Consider the healthcare sector, where women make up about 70% of the workforce globally. AI-powered diagnostic tools and administrative automation are streamlining many traditional roles like medical coding, billing, and even some nursing tasks. While this can improve efficiency and patient care, it also threatens job security for many female workers[3].
Similarly, in retail and customer service — sectors heavily staffed by women — AI chatbots and automated checkout systems are rapidly replacing front-line roles. Companies like Amazon and Walmart are deploying AI-driven logistics and customer interaction systems, reducing demand for human workers in these positions.
Contrast this with the tech industry, where AI engineers and developers are in high demand. These roles remain male-dominated, highlighting the urgent need to close the gender gap in AI education and career pathways.
Current developments and policy responses
As of May 2025, policymakers and labor organizations worldwide are grappling with how to manage AI’s impact on employment equitably. The ILO’s refined global index on generative AI exposure is designed to be a crucial tool for governments to identify vulnerable occupations and target support measures[4].
Countries like Germany and Canada have launched initiatives focused on retraining women for AI-related roles, emphasizing digital literacy and STEM education. The European Union is considering legislation to mandate gender impact assessments for AI deployment in workplaces, aiming to prevent exacerbation of inequalities.
Companies, too, are under pressure to adopt ethical AI practices and invest in workforce transition programs. Microsoft, Google, and IBM have all recently announced partnerships with educational institutions to upskill women in AI and data science, recognizing that diversity is key to innovation and economic resilience.
Looking ahead — what does the future hold?
The trajectory is clear: AI will continue to transform work, but the outcome depends on choices made today. Without intentional intervention, the risk is a future where women disproportionately bear the brunt of AI-induced job displacement, exacerbating economic inequality and social stratification.
However, there is cause for cautious optimism. The spotlight on gender disparities in AI impact is driving a wave of initiatives aimed at inclusive technology design, improved access to education, and social safety nets for displaced workers.
As someone who has tracked AI’s evolution for years, I’m convinced that bridging this gender gap is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity. The innovation potential of AI can only be fully realized if the workforce reflects the diversity of society.
Summary Table: AI Job Exposure by Gender in High-Income Countries (2025)
| Metric | Women’s Jobs | Men’s Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Jobs Exposed to AI | 41% | 28% |
| Percentage of Jobs at Risk of Automation | ~10% | 3.5% |
| Sectors Most Affected | Admin, Clerical, Healthcare, Retail | Engineering, IT (lower exposure currently) |
Conclusion
The ILO’s 2025 study lays bare a critical truth: AI’s promise of progress comes with a gendered cost. Women’s jobs, concentrated in sectors ripe for automation, face three times the risk of displacement compared to men’s. This disparity reflects long-standing occupational structures and highlights the urgent need for inclusive policy, education, and corporate strategies. As AI continues reshaping the global labor market, closing this gap is essential—not only for fairness but to harness AI’s full potential for economic growth and social advancement. The future of work must be a future for all.
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