UN warns AI could deepen gender inequality in global job markets

A new United Nations policy update has warned that the rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization could lead to widespread job displacement for both men and women — but women are expected to face disproportionately higher impacts, further widening gender inequality in workplaces.

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), about 27.6% of women’s jobs worldwide are at risk of automation or major transformation due to generative AI, compared to 21.1% of men’s jobs.

The report attributes these risks to structural inequalities, gender biases in technology, and unequal access to digital resources.

The impact will be most pronounced in high- and upper-middle-income countries, where women are heavily employed in sectors such as clerical work, education, and public administration — all of which are highly susceptible to AI-driven automation.

Historically, women have borne the brunt of technological transitions. Between 2000 and 2019, the U.S. saw 3.5 million office and assembly-line jobs held by middle-aged women disappear due to automation, compared with 100,000 jobs lost by men in similar categories.

The report stresses that while earlier waves of automation targeted low-skill jobs, generative AI now threatens complex, skill-intensive roles, making the challenge far broader.

Another major concern is women’s low representation in the tech sector. In a sample of 73 countries, women accounted for less than one-third of the workforce with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields — a gap that could perpetuate bias in AI systems and decision-making.

Although increased diversity in tech teams alone may not solve the issue, the UN notes that diverse teams are better equipped to identify and mitigate bias in AI development.

Despite these risks, the report also highlights potential opportunities — digitalization and remote work models could enhance women’s economic inclusion, offering greater flexibility and helping overcome traditional barriers such as rigid working hours and domestic responsibilities.

The UN concludes that, if managed inclusively, digitalization can become a powerful tool for women’s empowerment and broader economic participation.