Who Wins, Who Loses? Generative AI and the Unequal Transformation of Jobs
13:05 - 13:35, 20th of May (Wednesday) 2026 / AI & Architecture
Generative AI is reshaping labour markets, but its impact is unevenly distributed. This talk explores how its effects differ across workers, countries, and income groups, challenging the idea of a uniform technological shift.
Drawing on recent research by the ILO and the World Bank, the presentation shows that exposure to AI is often concentrated in higher-income jobs and among more educated workers, reflecting the technology’s alignment with knowledge-intensive work. At the same time, the benefits of AI adoption are uneven across countries. While advanced economies are better positioned to integrate AI into productive processes, many developing economies face structural constraints that limit their ability to translate exposure into economic gains.
These dynamics point to a broader divergence: AI has the potential to boost productivity and create new opportunities, but it may also reinforce existing inequalities. The talk examines how these patterns are already emerging, including early evidence on macroeconomic effects.
By placing generative AI in a global and distributional perspective, the presentation highlights key implications for businesses, workers, and policymakers seeking to harness its benefits while managing its risks.
