Who will be the workers most affected by AI?

This paper examines how different socio-demographic groups experience AI at work. As AI can automate non-routine, cognitive tasks, tertiary-educated workers in “white-collar” occupations will likely face disruption, even if empirical analysis does not suggest that overall employment levels have fallen due to AI, even in “white-collar” occupations. The main risk for those without tertiary education, female and older workers is that they lose out due to lower access to AI-related employment opportunities and to productivity-enhancing AI tools in the workplace. By identifying the main risks and opportunities associated with different socio-demographic groups, the ultimate aim is to allow policy makers to target supports and to capture the benefits of AI (increased productivity and economic growth) without increasing inequalities and societal resistance to technological progress.