A recent study published in *Science* reveals that higher earners in occupations such as software engineering and data science are more likely to be impacted by AI advancements, with nearly 20% of employees facing significant exposure. The research raises concerns about potential inequality and disruption in highly skilled industries.
Research indicates that higher earners, such as software engineers and data scientists, are more likely to be affected by AI advancements compared to lower-paid workers. An analysis of more than 900 occupations, published in Science on Thursday, found that nearly 20% of employees could see at least half their tasks impacted by machine learning.
Conducted by Daniel Rock from the University of Pennsylvania, OpenAI, and the UK’s Centre for the Governance of AI, the study utilized both human analysis and a GPT-4 model to assess AI’s potential to reduce task completion times by half without quality loss. It revealed that 18.5% of workers, predominantly in higher-paid roles like blockchain engineers and clinical data managers, face significant exposure. In contrast, roles such as motorcycle mechanics and stonemasons showed no exposure.
The IMF highlighted concerns that AI might increase inequality and disrupt highly skilled industries. The research offers a notable perspective on AI’s potential impact, differing from previous tech advancements that mainly affected less lucrative, routine jobs. Experts indicate the importance of further examining employee experiences with AI to complement these findings.
