We are on the doorstep of a digital revolution that could revitalize productivity, spur global growth and raise incomes worldwide, but could also replace jobs and deepen inequality.

The net effect of AI is difficult to forecast, because the impact of AI on economies will be complex. What can be said with some certainty is that a set of policies needs to be devised to safely exploit AI's vast potential for the benefit of humanity.

The findings are remarkable: nearly 40% of global employment is exposed to AI. Historically, automation and information technology have tended to affect routine tasks, but one of the characteristics that sets AI apart is its incidence in high-skill jobs. Thus, AI carries greater risks for advanced economies compared to emerging and developing markets, but it also presents them with more opportunities to exploit the benefits.

In advanced economies, about 60% of jobs may be affected by AI. About half of the jobs that are exposed could benefit from AI integration, which would improve productivity. In the other half, AI applications can execute tasks that are currently performed by humans, which could reduce the demand for labor, with a consequent reduction in wages and hiring. In the most extreme cases, some jobs may disappear.

In emerging markets and low-income countries, by contrast, exposure to AI is expected to be 40% and 26%, respectively. These findings suggest that, in emerging market and developing economies, AI will cause less disruption. At the same time, many of these countries lack the infrastructure and skilled workforce to exploit the benefits of AI, creating the risk that, over time, the technology will deepen inequality between nations.

Translated by: A.M