Why Women Workers Are Facing the Biggest AI Risk — and What They Should Do Now

The latest research on artificial intelligence (AI) and jobs isn’t great news for millions of American women.

According to a recent report from the Brookings Institution and the Centre for the Governance of AI, workers in clerical and administrative positions face some of the highest risk of AI disruption.

And of the roughly 6 million workers who would have the hardest time adapting to AI-related job loss, 86% are women.

The jobs most at risk

Here are some of the largely female occupations facing the steepest combination of high AI exposure and low adaptive capacity, according to the analysis:

• Secretaries and administrative assistants (96% female)
• Court and municipal clerks (85% female)
• Payroll and timekeeping clerks (89% female)

These are positions where technology has already chipped away at the tasks humans used to handle. AI just represents the latest wave of disruption.

However, roughly 70% of workers in AI-exposed roles could likely pivot into comparable-paying positions if displaced, the researchers found.

The catch is that successful transitions typically happen for workers in fields like marketing, finance and science, which tend to have more technical and managerial roles that require diverse skills.

Marketing managers, financial analysts and web designers show high AI exposure too, but they’re better positioned to adapt because their jobs require a wider range of competencies.

How to level up and protect your career

Workers who can combine technical literacy with diverse skills will find themselves better positioned regardless of how sophisticated AI becomes.

The smartest career move right now might be expanding your skill set rather than doubling down on efficiency in your current role. Learn the basics of project management and data analysis tools. Understand how AI systems actually work so you can better use them.

Career pivots sound expensive, but plenty of resources exist for workers who can’t afford traditional education.

Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Google Career Certificates offer free or affordable paths into fields like digital marketing, IT support and project management. Many public libraries provide free access to these platforms.

Many community colleges have accelerated certification programs designed for working adults. Look specifically for courses in data literacy, business software and human resources management. These skills complement administrative experience while making you more adaptable.

Don’t overlook internal opportunities either. If your employer’s implementing AI tools, volunteer to be part of the rollout team. Being the person who understands both the technology and the human processes it’s replacing makes you more valuable.

Turn threat into opportunity

Ben May, director of global macro research at Oxford Economics, noted in a recent report that as of now, there’s currently little evidence that firms are replacing significant numbers of workers with AI.

He expressed doubt that AI would sharply push unemployment in the coming years, saying, “We’re skeptical that firms can quickly and seamlessly substitute workers with AI even in sectors where the potential for AI disruption is greatest.”

That means you have time, but not unlimited time. Start preparing now. Build skills and position yourself as someone who works with emerging technology rather than against it.