The escalating influence of artificial intelligence, particularly Generative AI (GenAI), is forecast to disproportionately impact women and diverse groups through job losses in the coming decade. This trend is expected to intensify through to 2030, as reported last week by the McKinsey Global Institute.
Numerous office support, customer service, and food services positions, which are predominantly occupied by women and people of color, are expected to face automation at an alarming rate. However, the brighter side of report suggests that responsive and proactive measures can be taken to address this challenge and meet the shifted workforce requirements.
The law firm Fisher Phillips suggests a practical 7-step guide for employers who aim to mitigate the potential impact of GenAI on diverse workforce segments:
- Recognize and understand the prospective shifts in labor demand and supply triggered by GenAI.
- Be transparent about job roles that are likely to be automated and the consequent workforce reshaping.
- Take pre-emptive steps to retrain affected employees for available roles.
- Create robust workforce transition programs, in partnership with external experts and training providers, if needed.
- Establish an inclusive culture that values diverse skill sets and backgrounds, regardless of the increasing automation.
- Ensure fair AI usage to prevent unconscious bias that may disadvantage certain groups.
- Stay abreast with evolving legislation regarding AI, labor laws, and anti-discrimination practices.
Implementing these guidelines can help ensure not only the sustained employment of a diverse workforce but also the optimal utilization and ethical application of AI in the business arena. For further insights, see the full report on JD Supra.