The threat of an artificial intelligence “apocalypse” has been voiced: it could deprive millions of people of their jobs

The most vulnerable categories are named: women and youth

Almost 8 million jobs in the UK alone could be lost to artificial intelligence in a “jobs apocalypse”, according to a report warning that those most at risk from automation are women, young workers and those on lower wages pay.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said entry-level, part-time and administrative jobs are most likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence in a “worst-case scenario” of new technology adoption over the next three to five years, The Guardian writes.

The think tank has warned that the UK is facing a “sliding door” moment as more companies adopt generative artificial intelligence technologies – which can read and create text, data and program code – to automate everyday tasks in the workplace.

The report says this first wave of AI adoption has already put jobs at risk as more companies adopt the technology. However, the second wave could lead to the automation of more jobs amid rapid advances in AI.

After analyzing 22,000 tasks across the economy, covering all types of work, the IPPR said 11% of tasks currently performed by workers are at risk. However, in the second wave, this figure may increase to 59% of tasks as technologies develop to manage increasingly complex processes.

The report says routine cognitive tasks including database management, scheduling and inventory are already under threat, potentially displacing entry-level and part-time jobs in secretarial, administrative and customer service jobs.

However, a second wave of artificial intelligence could impact non-routine tasks such as database creation, copywriting and graphic design, affecting increasingly higher-paying jobs, The Guardian writes.

Women will suffer significantly more as “they are more likely to work in the most vulnerable occupations, such as secretarial and administrative positions,” the IPPR report says.

The report says that in a worst-case scenario for a second wave of AI adoption, 7.9 million jobs could be lost, and any benefits to the economy from increased productivity would be eroded by zero GDP growth for three to five years.

In the best case scenario, for a full workforce expansion using generative AI, no jobs would be lost, while the size of the economy could be increased by 4%, or around £92 billion per year.

Sounding the alarm about the impact on workers, the centre-left think tank said government action could prevent a “jobs apocalypse” and help harness the power of artificial intelligence to boost economic growth and improve living standards.

Carsten Jung, senior economist at IPPR, warns: “Already existing generative artificial intelligence could lead to serious disruptions in the labor market or significantly accelerate economic growth. Either way, it will be a game changer for millions of us. But technology is not destiny, and a jobs apocalypse is not inevitable – government, employers and unions have an opportunity to make important design decisions now that will ensure we manage this new technology well. If they don’t act soon, it may be too late.”