The piece draws parallels between past technological shifts, such as the introduction of automated telephone switches and personal computers, and the current AI revolution. It emphasizes that women, who largely occupy clerical and administrative roles, are at a heightened risk of job displacement due to AI's focus on routine tasks.
Research from the International Labour Organization indicates that nearly 10% of women in high-income countries work in occupations most vulnerable to AI. Historical data shows that when AT&T automated telephone operations in the 1940s, it led to the loss of approximately 75,000 operator jobs, pushing many women into lower-paying positions or out of the workforce entirely.
However, subsequent generations adapted better, finding new opportunities as the economy evolved. The article also discusses how previous technological innovations, like washing machines and personal computers, created new job categories and increased women's labor force participation.
Despite the potential for AI to enhance productivity and wages for some, the uncertainty remains regarding its long-term effects on women's employment, as AI's capabilities continue to advance