On Sunday (January 14) local time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an analysis article showing that artificial intelligence technology will affect nearly 40% of global jobs. Compared with emerging markets and low-income countries, employment in developed countries is more likely to be affected by artificial intelligence. The IMF wrote in the report that artificial intelligence technology will further exacerbate the wealth gap between different countries and between different income classes.

IMF President Kristalina Georgieva said in the article: "In most cases, artificial intelligence is likely to exacerbate overall inequality. This is a disturbing trend that policymakers must respond to proactively to prevent this technology from further exacerbating social tensions."


AI will have a greater impact on developed countries

The IMF report stated:

“The findings are shocking:Nearly 40% of global employment opportunities will be affected by artificial intelligence. Historically, automation and information technology have tended to impact process-based tasks,But what sets AI apart is its ability to impact high-skill jobs. As a result, advanced economies face greater risks from AI than emerging market and developing economies, but also have greater opportunities to harness the benefits of AI. "

The IMF survey shows thatIn developed economies, approximately 60% of jobs may be affected by artificial intelligence. The impact is split between positive and negative: About half of all jobs may benefit from AI technology, increasing productivity; while the other half may be replaced by AI, reducing companies’ demand for labor, leading to lower wages and reduced hiring. In the most extreme cases, some of these jobs may disappear.

In contrast,In emerging markets and low-income countries, the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs is expected to be 40% and 26% respectively.


This means that emerging market and developing economies face less direct disruption from AI. But at the same time, given that many countries have not developed complete infrastructure or skilled labor, it is also difficult for these countries to profit from artificial intelligence technology.

This means that, over time, AI technologies may increase inequality between countries. "This could exacerbate the digital divide and income disparities between countries," the IMF wrote in the report.

Income gaps may widen

In addition to inequalities between countries, AI may also affect income and wealth inequality between different workers within countries.

The IMF predicted in its report that AI will exacerbate polarization between different income groups:Workers who can take advantage of AI will see increases in productivity and wages, while those who can’t will fall further behind—and the gap may depend on age, learning ability, work experience, and more. For example, younger workers may find it easier to take advantage of AI, while older workers may have difficulty adapting to it.

Georgieva wrote in the report that artificial intelligence technology will increase the productivity of high-income employees and companies, thereby increasing the income of this group, leading to a further widening of the gap between rich and poor. She argued that countries should provide "comprehensive social safety nets" and provide retraining programs for vulnerable workers.

Safeguards on artificial intelligence are being advanced

The release of Georgieva's views on artificial intelligence coincides with the Davos Forum. As global business and political leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, artificial intelligence will undoubtedly be a hot topic of discussion.

Since artificial intelligence technology set off a global craze last year, global companies have been pouring money into the emerging technology, but this has sometimes caused employees to worry about the future of their jobs.

One of the most recent examples is digital media company Buzzfeed Inc., which recently announced plans to use artificial intelligence to help with content creation and closed its core news division, laying off more than 100 people.

In December, the European Union reached a tentative agreement on developing legislation on safeguards for artificial intelligence, while the United States is still weighing its federal regulatory stance.