25% Global Jobs Threatened by Generative AI: ILO and NASK Findings

Published Date : 21/05/2025 

A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland's National Research Institute (NASK) reveals that 25% of jobs worldwide are at risk due to the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), with clerical and digital roles facing the highest vulnerability. 

A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK) has revealed that 25% of jobs globally are potentially exposed to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). The study, titled “Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure,” is described as the most detailed global assessment to date on how GenAI may reshape labor markets.

The report emphasizes that job transformation, rather than mass displacement, is the more likely outcome of AI’s integration into the workplace. “We went beyond theory to build a tool grounded in real-world jobs,” said Pawel Gmyrek, ILO senior researcher and lead author. “By combining human insight, expert review, and generative AI models, we’ve created a replicable method that helps countries assess risk and respond with precision.”

Greater exposure to GenAI is observed in advanced economies, where the global exposure rate climbs to 34% due to higher digital integration. Clerical jobs are the most vulnerable, as GenAI can automate a wide range of administrative and data-entry tasks. Other highly exposed roles include cognitive jobs in media, software development, and finance.

The report introduces an “occupational exposure index” based on nearly 30,000 job tasks, cross-checked with AI scoring, expert validation, and ILO employment data. This allows for a more refined analysis of the technology’s potential effects across countries and sectors.

The findings also highlight a significant gender disparity. In high-income countries, 9.6% of women are employed in jobs at high risk of automation, compared to only 3.5% of men. “This index helps identify where GenAI is likely to have the biggest impact, so countries can better prepare and protect workers,” said Marek Troszynski, senior expert at NASK and co-author of the report. “Our next step is to apply this new index to detailed labour force data from Poland.”

While acknowledging that GenAI can boost productivity, the report cautions that its effects will depend on the pace of adoption, national infrastructure, and workers’ digital skills. “Technological constraints, infrastructure gaps, and skills shortages mean that implementation will differ widely,” said ILO senior economist Janine Berg. “This tool helps countries assess potential exposure and prepare their labour markets for a fairer digital future.”

The report urges governments, employers, and trade unions to engage in social dialogue and design policies that protect workers, promote upskilling, and ensure just transitions in sectors exposed to GenAI. The study aligns with the International Monetary Fund’s 2024 assessment that AI could influence up to 40% of jobs globally, with advanced economies bearing the brunt of the shift.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva previously warned that AI risks deepening inequality if left unchecked. “In most scenarios, AI will likely worsen overall inequality, a troubling trend that policymakers must proactively address,” she said. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main finding of the ILO and NASK report on generative AI?

A: The main finding is that 25% of jobs globally are potentially exposed to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), with clerical and highly digital occupations facing the highest vulnerability.

Q: How does the exposure rate to GenAI differ between high-income and low-income countries?

A: The exposure rate to GenAI is 34% in high-income countries due to greater digital integration, compared to the global average of 25%.

Q: Which jobs are most at risk from generative AI?

A: Clerical jobs are the most at risk, as GenAI can automate a wide range of administrative and data-entry tasks. Other highly exposed roles include cognitive jobs in media, software development, and finance.

Q: What gender disparity is highlighted in the report?

A: In high-income countries, 9.6% of women are employed in jobs at high risk of automation, compared to only 3.5% of men.

Q: What does the report suggest governments should do to address the impact of GenAI on jobs?

A: The report urges governments, employers, and trade unions to engage in social dialogue and design policies that protect workers, promote upskilling, and ensure just transitions in sectors exposed to GenAI. 

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