By 2030, artificial intelligence will likely replace a significant number of hours — and therefore jobs — disproportionately held by women, a new study shows.
Workers within healthcare and senior living, however — industries with an overwhelmingly female labor force — are not only likely to maintain their roles, but demand for new jobs in those fields will continue to grow over the next decade.
The report, which was released this month by the McKinsey Global Institute, suggests that with a rapidly aging population, job growth within healthcare could grow by 30%, far exceeding the amount AI or automation will play into that demand. The authors estimate that by 2030, there could be 3.8 million new jobs for roles such as nurses, personal care assistants and home health aids.
“An aging population increases the need for specialized healthcare,” the authors write. “The imbalance between supply and demand is already evident. Many hospitals and nursing homes are coping with staffing shortages that can affect the quality of care.”
The reports findings dovetail with similar studies on AI and automation in healthcare, that show the technology’s biggest benefits to the industry are supplementary.
The most likely outcome, many experts believe, is that, rather than replacing women or men, automation will fulfill many rote or administrative roles within healthcare, just as documentation, medication management and scheduling.
Although there are some examples of AI acting as substitutes for caregivers or even clinicians, not only are many older adults still distrustful of AI-led healthcare, but studies also have confirmed current technology lacks the nuance of actual healthcare workers, and could even end up exacerbating existing biases along racial or ethnic lines.
Most of the negative effects anticipated for women will come within the (customer) service industry, the report projects.
Although the demand for healthcare roles may continue to grow, one lingering question is whether the industry can attract new workers, as economic realities have helped create the staffing shortage to begin with.
“Improvements in job quality, pay, benefits, a stronger promise of career advancement, or a higher level of automation may be necessary to resolve these shortages,” study authors state.
