The continued rise of generative AI has the potential to transform how operational activities are carried out in the workplace. However, some sectors and careers are more susceptible than others, and a new report sheds light on the biggest targets.
In fact the Hiring Lab released its AI at Work report, which uses this Previous report and Bureau of Labor Statistics data to highlight groups and industries that are more susceptible to AI-led change than others.
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The report labels exposure to generative AI as “high” if the generative AI performs 80% or more in “good” or “excellent” areas.
Exposure is “moderate” when the generative AI is “good” or “excellent” between 50% and 80% efficient, and “low” when the generative AI can perform less than half the efficiency “good” or “excellent” method.
Studies have shown that the younger generation faces the least exposure. Only 5.6% of workers between the ages of 16 and 24 have the highest potential exposure to generative AI, while 38.4% of workers in that age group have the lowest potential exposure.
The report states that these younger workers are mostly susceptible to lower exposures as they perform their roles. Many professionals in this age group work in roles that do not require advanced skills or rely on skills that can be learned quickly.
For example, the report notes that 16.3% of these younger workers work in food preparation or service jobs, where generative AI assistance would not be very useful or valuable.
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However, as these professionals age, they move into positions and acquire skills where generative AI can excel.
For example, management positions are typically offered after a person has gained a few years of experience in a field or role, with eight working in personnel management between the ages of 25 and 54.
The report says management is one area where generative AI excels, with the technology able to perform 67.9% of required skills in a “good” or “excellent” manner.
Older professionals often choose to further their education, qualifying them for roles that are highly familiar with AI, such as “business and finance” and “math and computers”.
As a result, mid-career professionals aged 25 to 54 have the highest potential exposure to AI, with 13.4% of professionals in that age group classified as susceptible to high AI exposure, 58.4% as moderate exposure and 28.2% as low-exposure individuals.
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The over 55 age group boasts the same protections as the youngest group of working professionals. The roles that older workers perform, such as driving, cleaning and sanitation, rely on hands-on or social interactions, tasks that creative AI cannot perform well.
Only 11.5% of workers in this latter category have been exposed to generative AI, with 59.4% having moderate exposure and 29.1% having low exposure.