AI poses a bigger threat in jobs with more women, study finds
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the American workforce, employees in occupations traditionally dominated by women are particularly vulnerable to its transformative effects, according to a recent report from the Brookings Institution and the Centre for the Governance of AI. The study highlights the disproportionate impact AI may have on women, who make up a significant share of clerical and administrative roles that are at high risk of automation.
The report, which draws on a combination of public and private data, identifies fields with the highest risk of AI disruption and assesses workers' ability to adapt. It reveals that over 6 million workers who are most at risk of job loss due to AI may struggle to cope, primarily because they are older, have limited savings, or face other barriers. The majority of these workers are employed in clerical and administrative positions—sectors historically dominated by women.
Mark Muro, a senior fellow at Brookings, noted that these roles have been under threat for years due to advancements in information technology. "These are occupations that have been under attack for a long time," he said, emphasizing that the vulnerability of women in these jobs reflects their functions rather than their competencies.
Data from labor market analytics firm Lightcast, cited by Brookings, shows that 86% of the roughly 6 million workers who would find it hardest to adapt to AI-related job loss are women. This finding underscores the potential challenges female workers may face as AI becomes more prevalent in the labor market.
High-Risk, Low-Adaptability Occupations
The report identifies several occupations with high AI exposure and low adaptive capacity, many of which are predominantly female:
- Secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical, and executive): With 1.7 million workers and a 96% female share, this occupation faces 59% AI exposure and only 14% adaptive capacity.
- Court, municipal, and license clerks: This field has 170,000 workers, 85% of whom are women, with 58% AI exposure and 11% adaptive capacity.
- Payroll and timekeeping clerks: Comprising 157,000 workers, 89% female, this occupation has 50% AI exposure and 15% adaptive capacity.
Workers Better Positioned to Adapt
Despite concerns about AI displacing jobs, the researchers note that approximately 70% of workers in roles exposed to AI could transition to new positions with comparable earnings if displaced. These workers are typically in fields like marketing, finance, and science, which require diverse skills and offer more technical and managerial roles.
Sam Manning, a senior research fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI, explained that these jobs involve a wider range of competencies compared to more administrative roles. "There's a wider range of things that you need to leverage in these jobs, versus some of these more administrative, back office-type roles where the core competencies are more narrowly defined," he said.
Occupations with High AI Exposure and High Adaptability
The report also highlights occupations where workers are both exposed to AI and well-positioned to adapt:
- Web and digital interface designers: With 111,000 workers and 39% female, this field has 68% AI exposure and 100% adaptive capacity.
- Marketing managers: Comprising 385,000 workers, 54% female, this occupation has 60% AI exposure and 100% adaptive capacity.
- Financial and investment analysts: This field has 341,000 workers, 42% female, with 50% AI exposure and 99% adaptive capacity.
Current Impact of AI on the Labor Market
While experts agree that AI will likely have a profound impact on the workplace over time, its current effect on the U.S. labor market appears relatively minor. Ben May, director of global macro research at Oxford Economics, said there is little evidence to suggest that firms are replacing significant numbers of workers with AI. He also expressed skepticism that AI would sharply increase unemployment in the coming years.
"We're skeptical that firms can quickly and seamlessly substitute workers with AI even in sectors where the potential for AI disruption is greatest," May said.
Preparing for the Future
To mitigate the impact of AI on their careers, Manning and Muro suggest that workers take proactive steps. "Trying to experiment with this technology to see how you can make yourself more productive and expand your capability set to stand out within whatever field you're in is definitely something that can help," Manning said.
As AI continues to evolve, understanding its potential impact on different sectors and workers' ability to adapt will be crucial for policymakers, employers, and employees alike.
Gen Z is optimistic about their careers despite a gap in expectations among employees and employers in the greater workforce, according to Indeed survey data published Thursday.
Gen Z's positivity is unexpected against the backdrop of an entry-level job crisis.
- "It's not that Gen Z has confidence necessarily in the market, but they do have confidence in their ability to adapt," Kyle M.K., Indeed's senior strategy advisor, tells Axios. "This is a group that — for a majority of their lives — they've seen a lot of disruption."
- "They just have a lot of confidence in themselves to plan accordingly," he adds, "especially as we go through some of this transformative change that we're seeing with AI and the economy."
Gen Z reports a 77% net positive career outlook in the survey. They're followed by 65% of millennials.
- Overall, 59% of job seekers feel confident about achieving their career goals, while 85% of employers anticipate meeting their 2026 talent goals.
Hiring and retention face a perception gap, per Indeed.
- "Confident employers stand on one side of the chasm while cautious workers idle on the other," the report said. "Each is convinced they're doing their best, yet both are still missing the mark."
35% of job seekers cite AI adoption as their top concern — surpassing burnout. But a similar share of employers (40%) say AI adoption is a top 2026 priority.
- Bigger picture, AI is contributing to the "no-hire, no-fire" labor market.
- "It makes sense that employers are equally trying to use AI and that the employees are worried about what that means for their skillsets and their contribution and then their livelihoods, as a result," M.K. says.
Our thought bubble, from Axios' Madison Mills: Data scientists and consultants tell Axios that companies should turn to Gen Z to lead their AI efforts, as young people tend to lead in tech adoption.
- Perhaps instead of fearing the technology, younger people feel confident in their ability to make it work for them rather than replace them.
A majority of job seekers across generations expect more "gig stacking" this year, the survey found.
- Over half of Gen Z have side gigs compared to 21% of boomers and older, Axios' Sami Sparber previously reported.
Only 20% of job seekers expect the overall job market to improve in 2026, compared to 50% of employers.
- "Employer optimism can be a blind spot when workers are bracing for risk," the report said.
Organizations that don't address the disconnect between employers and employees, M.K. says, "are going to have a hard time attracting and retaining this younger talent, which makes up a majority of the workforce."