New study clusters job titles by level of exposure to GenAI
The exposure of HR manager jobs to generative AI remains "limited," according to a new report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), amid concerns from HR leaders that they could get replaced by the technology.
A joint study from the ILO and Poland's National Research Institute (NASK) recently clustered nearly 500 jobs under four exposure gradients, which determine their level of exposure to automation.
It found that 25% of global employment is potentially exposed to GenAI, with higher shares in high-income countries.
But HR managers fell outside of the four-tier gradient, and have been classified under "minimal exposure."
These are "occupations with low GenAI exposure, where some tasks show moderate automation potential, but overall occupational exposure remains limited," according to the report.
It noted, however, that payroll clerks, who usually fall under HR departments, are at Gradient 4 — the highest exposure for GenAI.
"High and consistent GenAI exposure across tasks within the occupation. Most current tasks in these jobs have a high potential of automation, with little variability in task-level exposure," the study read.
The findings come in the wake of concerns from HR professionals that they could be made redundant by AI.
In fact, data from the Academy to Innovate HR in 2022 revealed that some jobs, including HR helpdesk, HR administrator, DEIB consultant, and benefits administrator, among others, are at "high risk of automation."
A report from Goldman Sachs in 2023 warned that the rapid emergence of AI across the world could expose 300 million full-time jobs, bringing "significant disruption" to the labour market.
The joint study from the ILO and NASK underscores this risk, but noted that transformation, not replacement, will be the likely outcome.
Clerical jobs face the highest exposure of all, with the most exposed job titles being:
"Additionally, some strongly digitised occupations have increased exposure, highlighting the expanding abilities of GenAI regarding specialised tasks in professional and technical roles," the report read.
Meanwhile, the report found that female employment is more exposed to GenAI than male employment.
In high-income countries, the report pointed out that 28% of male employment is exposed, with only 3.5% of them at the highest level of exposure.
On the other hand, 41% of female employment is exposed, with 9.6% of their jobs at Gradient 4 or at the highest exposure level.
"As most occupations consist of tasks that require human input, transformation of jobs is the most likely impact of GenAI," the ILO said.
"Such a transformation is best managed through social dialogue. Linking our refined index with national micro data enables precise projections of such changes, offering a foundation for social dialogue and targeted policy responses."
