"AI's Transformative Impact on Labor Markets: An OECD Study "

Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting ready to change how we work, and people are arguing about what this means for the future. Some say it will cause big problems and make fewer jobs for people, while others think it will help us work better and be happier. This debate is becoming more urgent as AI becomes more common, and there are still many things policymakers need to figure out.

In December 2023, a group called the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) did a big study to see how AI is changing work in different countries. They looked at almost 100 examples from places like banks and factories in many countries including Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This study helps us understand how AI affects jobs, what kind of work people do, and what skills they need.

Here's what they found:

• AI is changing jobs: It's making machines do more tasks that people used to do. This affects all kinds of jobs, no matter how skilled you are.

• Most people still have jobs: Even though AI is being used more, most people are still able to keep their jobs. But there aren't as many new jobs being made as there used to be. If people lose their jobs because of AI, it's not very common. Usually, companies find other jobs for them or they leave their jobs on their own.

• There are new jobs for people who know about AI: Since AI is becoming more common, there are new jobs for people who know how to work with AI. Companies are looking for people who know a lot about AI to help them use it better.

• AI is changing the skills people need for their jobs: When AI is used at work, people often need to learn new things or have more skills. Some jobs need people who are good at thinking and talking to others, while others need people who know a lot about technology.

• AI can make work better but also harder: AI can help people do their jobs better by taking away boring tasks and making work safer. But sometimes, it can also make people feel more stressed because they have to do more complicated things.

• People should have a say in how AI is used at work: It's important for people who work with AI to have a say in how it's used. When workers help decide how AI is used, they feel better about their jobs and are more likely to do well.

But the study also found that AI affects different groups of workers in different ways:

• Older Workers: Older workers sometimes have a hard time learning new things, especially when it comes to using AI at work. Managers might not always help them as much as they should.

• Low-Skilled Workers: People with less training or skills often have a tough time finding new jobs that use AI. Companies might rather hire new workers who already know how to use AI instead of teaching their current workers.

• Men Working in Factories: Men who work in factories often benefit more from AI because it makes their jobs safer. This is because they usually do more dangerous work.

• Minority Ethnic Workers: AI can sometimes help people who don't speak English very well find jobs. For example, in some factories, AI helps people learn how to do their jobs by using videos with different languages.

In short, AI is changing how people work, but it doesn't affect everyone in the same way. The study shows that AI could make work better for some people but harder for others. To help everyone, policymakers need to make rules and programs that support workers as AI becomes more common. This way, everyone can have a fair chance to succeed in a world with more AI.

1. How does Japan's belief in respecting older people affect how older workers feel about AI at work?

2. Because Japan cares a lot about keeping jobs safe, how does the idea of AI changing jobs instead of removing them affect workers?

3. How will AI technology affect the jobs of people who usually work with their hands in Japan's factories? Will it make their jobs safer or more difficult?

4. How does Japan plan to help workers in factories adapt to using AI, while still making sure they have good jobs and are happy?

5. What special rules and training has Japan made to help older and less skilled workers as they start using more AI at work? Are these rules working well so far?