Is AI for Better or for Worse?

AI will have its advantages and disadvantages. Research shows that there will be creation of new jobs which is positive. However, there are concerns that AI will lead to job loss as well as job displacement. The fear which is equality or gender-related is that women will probably be more affected by job loss or displacement than men. This is because there are more women in the customer service, food service, social service or community service sector, areas that are predicted to be affected by the growth of AI. Despite the prediction that AI will create new jobs, few women will benefit due to the number of women in STEM. The assumption is based on the type of jobs that have been affected by the deployment of AI in developed countries. In the US for example, powered by artificial intelligence, new technologies are taking over tasks not only from warehouse workers but also from white-collar workers and professionals. Automated teller machines have taken over the tasks of bank tellers; accounting software has automated the work of bookkeepers. Now computers can diagnose breast cancer from X-rays and predict survival rates at least as well as the average radiologist. The impact of AI is expected to affect more women than men.

This essay analyses the anticipated consequences of AI on women’s jobs in Africa, leveraging the experiences, responses, and management of the development by developed countries as a lens for exploration. It also links to the discourse of the future of work which is an emerging discourse. The importance of these discourses is that they top topical issues in the general global discourse today.

To understand the potential impact of AI on women’s jobs in Africa, it is crucial to examine the global landscape as well as the status quo in Africa. It is trite, by virtue of early application, developed countries have witnessed significant transformations in their labour markets due to the integration of AI technologies. Automation, machine learning, and robotics have led to the displacement of certain jobs while creating new opportunities in sectors requiring advanced technical skills. For example, in industries such as health care, transport and logistics, customer service, and home maintenance. In the health industry in South Africa, as of 2020, AI could access health, prescribe, and dispense drugs to patients. In 2023, almost 4,000 American jobs were reported to have been lost following the adoption of AI.

This raises concerns about the feminization of job losses in the face of AI advancements. Professor Gina Neff, the executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy at the University of Cambridge and member of the Women4AI Daring Circle believes the existing gaps in digital skills between men and women globally is one key factor that would influence this discourse. According to her, this is disturbing and more concerted efforts must be taken to remedy the situation. Furthermore, studies from developed nations like the US, emphasize the importance of upskilling and reskilling to mitigate the negative impacts of AI on employment.

Again, the existing gender disparities in the workforce may exacerbate the impact of AI on women. A 2022 UNESCO study reveals that women are underrepresented in industries at the forefront of AI development, limiting their participation in the sector. As AI increasingly becomes integrated into various sectors, the result of these disparities may be further inequality in opportunities for women in the job market in the future.

Moreover, biases in AI algorithms can perpetuate gender stereotypes and discrimination as already witnessed and evident by some research. For example, a programme will often translate the English term ‘nurse’ using a female-gendered word, and render ‘doctor’ as a male noun. This bias in AI has the potential to widen the gender gap, and even endanger women’s lives. It can also lead to discrimination in fair decision making. For example, it can influence women not getting jobs or accessing loans for their businesses.  The solution to this can be gender-inclusive policies.

Traditionally, cultural norms and gender stereotypes have limited women’s access to job opportunities, resulting in a persistent gender gap in employment. In many African societies, gender roles have often dictated that women prioritize domestic responsibilities over pursuing a career. Cultural norms have perpetuated stereotypes that limit women’s participation in the formal workforce, relegating them to lower-paying and less prestigious roles.

Historically, women in Africa have faced challenges in accessing quality education and vocational training. This has resulted in a skills gap, further restricting their entry into higher-paying and more technologically advanced industries. Hence the job market in Africa has been characterized by occupational segregation, with women often concentrated in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and informal services, especially low-quality jobs. The high illiteracy level among women in Africa is more glaring in the area of STEM. The resulting situation is the digital divide or gap which is the lack of women in the mentioned fields. This becomes relevant within the discourse of the impact of AI on women’s jobs as only a few women are employed in the STEM sector and the sectors where they are more employed, are easily taken over by AI.

The integration of AI in various industries has the potential to break down traditional barriers to employment for women. Remote work facilitated by AI technologies can provide flexibility, allowing women to balance work and family responsibilities more effectively.

AI-driven initiatives in education and training can help bridge the skills gap for women. Online courses, AI-driven learning platforms, and virtual training programmes offer accessible opportunities for skill development, that have the potentials to empower women to enter industries or employment that were erstwhile male-dominated. Although more efforts will be required for hands-on or practical technology education. AI has the potential to disrupt occupational segregation by introducing automation and innovation across various sectors. As routine tasks become automated, opportunities for women to participate in more diverse and technologically advanced roles may increase.

Generally, although women in Africa have faced systemic challenges in the workforce, the advent of AI presents a transformative opportunity to address these issues. By breaking down traditional barriers, closing the skills gap, and promoting gender-inclusive AI technologies, Africa can foster a more equitable and diverse job market. All these have been noticed in developed countries. However, it is essential for policymakers, businesses, and communities to actively work towards creating an inclusive environment that harnesses the full potential of AI for the benefit of women in the workforce.

Africa presents a unique context for examining the impact of AI on women’s jobs. The continent is characterized by diverse economies, ranging from resource-rich nations to emerging markets. Many African countries are still grappling with basic infrastructure challenges and other problems which contribute to making the adoption of advanced technologies like AI a complex or additional challenge.

However, several African nations like Kenya and South Africa are making strides in embracing digital transformation. Initiatives such as the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy aim to harness the potential of technology for economic growth and job creation. The implications of AI on women’s employment in Africa need to be examined within this broader economic context.

While the economic and technological contexts of developed countries differ from those in Africa, analyzing their experiences can provide valuable insights. Developed countries have taken organized steps and strategies which developing countries can take lessons by adapting to the changing nature of work due to AI. While the use and thus the impact of AI on jobs in Africa may be different from how it is in developed countries, it is still worth researching. Some of the reasons for the difference may be considerable issues of time and development, the practical reality of automation itself and many others which might determine the full use of AI and thus the envisaged impact.

Although job displacement is a concern, the advent of AI also brings forth opportunities for skill shifts and upskilling. As routine tasks become automated, there is a growing demand for skills related to AI development, maintenance, and oversight. This shift offers women the chance to engage in high-skilled roles within the AI ecosystem. Initiatives promoting STEM education for women are crucial in ensuring they have the necessary skills to thrive in the evolving job market.

Gender Bias in AI Algorithms is an often-overlooked aspect of the impact of AI on women’s employment. If not properly designed and monitored, AI systems can perpetuate existing gender stereotypes and inequalities. For instance, biased recruitment algorithms may disadvantage women in job application processes. Addressing these biases is crucial to ensuring fair and equitable opportunities for women in the AI-driven job market.