TLDR: A new United Nations policy update warns that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization could significantly exacerbate gender inequality in global job markets. The report from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) indicates that 27.6% of women’s jobs worldwide are at risk of automation or major transformation due to generative AI, compared to 21.1% of men’s jobs. This disparity is attributed to existing structural inequalities, gender biases in technology, and unequal access to digital resources.
A recent policy update from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), published on October 19, 2025, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization on global job markets. The report highlights a significant risk of widespread job displacement for both men and women, with women expected to face disproportionately higher impacts, thereby widening existing gender inequalities in workplaces.
According to the DESA report, approximately 27.6% of women’s jobs globally are susceptible to automation or major transformation due to generative AI. This figure stands notably higher than the 21.1% of men’s jobs facing similar risks. The report attributes these alarming disparities to a confluence of factors, including entrenched structural inequalities, pervasive gender biases embedded within technology, and unequal access to crucial digital resources.
The impact of AI-driven automation is anticipated to be most pronounced in high- and upper-middle-income countries. In these regions, women are heavily concentrated in sectors such as clerical work, education, and public administration—all of which are identified as highly vulnerable to AI-driven automation. Historically, women have often borne the brunt of technological transitions. The report cites a compelling example from the United States between 2000 and 2019, where 3.5 million office and assembly-line jobs predominantly held by middle-aged women disappeared due to automation, in stark contrast to only 100,000 jobs lost by men in comparable categories. The current wave of generative AI, the report emphasizes, poses an even broader challenge as it threatens not just low-skill positions but also complex, skill-intensive roles.
Another critical concern raised by the UN is the persistent underrepresentation of women in the technology sector. Data from a sample of 73 countries reveals that women constitute less than one-third of the workforce with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This significant gender gap in tech could perpetuate and even amplify biases in AI systems and decision-making processes. While increased diversity in tech teams alone may not fully resolve the issue, the UN notes that diverse teams are better equipped to identify and mitigate such biases during AI development.
Also Read:
- AI Pioneer Geoffrey Hinton Warns of Widespread Job Losses and Deepening Inequality Under Capitalism
- Navigating the AI Frontier: Reskilling for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Despite these considerable risks, the report also sheds light on potential opportunities. It suggests that digitalization and the rise of remote work models could enhance women’s economic inclusion, offering greater flexibility and helping to overcome traditional barriers such as rigid working hours and domestic responsibilities. The United Nations concludes that, if managed inclusively and with proactive policy interventions, digitalization can be transformed into a powerful tool for women’s empowerment and broader economic participation.
