Generative AI and Labour Markets (SDN/2026/001)
Cross-country occupational analysis using O*NET and equivalent datasets; IMF staff research paper.
40%
Global employment with significant AI exposure
60%
Jobs with AI exposure in advanced economies (UK, US, EU)
#1
Management and business skills: most demanded in AI-exposed roles (above technical skills)
What this report says in 60 seconds
- →40% of global employment has significant AI exposure
- →Advanced economies: 60% of jobs have substantial AI exposure — highest globally
- →Advanced economies benefit most from complementarity effects — AI augmenting rather than replacing
- →Developing economies face displacement without equivalent complementarity benefit
- →Management and business skills are the most demanded in AI-exposed roles — more than technical skills
- →Wage inequality likely to increase: AI-complementary workers outpace AI-exposed workers
- →Social protection and reskilling investment required to manage transition at scale
What this means for you
Career Navigator
This is me →The IMF finding that management and business skills are more demanded than technical skills in AI-exposed roles is directly relevant to you. Your professional experience — managing, advising, communicating, leading — is exactly what employers are competing for.
Career Starter
This is me →The 60% exposure figure covers your entire prospective career landscape. Building AI literacy now is not optional — it is the price of entry to the labour market in advanced economies within 5 years.
Career Reinventor
This is me →Management and business skills being the #1 demand in AI-exposed roles validates the Reinventor thesis entirely. Your 20–30 years of professional experience in management, advisory, or domain expertise is the exact asset the AI labour market values most.
Roles this research highlights
Fractional CAIO
EmergingChief AI Officer on a part-time or project basis — giving organisations without the budget for a full-time CAIO access to senior AI leadership and strategy.
Domain AI Implementation Consultant
EmergingBringing 20+ years of domain expertise to AI implementation projects — the consultant who bridges AI technology and real-world sector knowledge in law, finance, medicine, or operations.
AI Ethics & Governance Advisor
GrowingEnsuring AI deployments are ethical, fair, and compliant — advising organisations on responsible AI strategy, policy, and practice.
Community
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Related research
The Future of Jobs Report 2025
“78 million net new jobs created by 2030, alongside 92 million displaced — net positive, but massive structural churn.”
AI and the Labour Market: 2025 Update
“300 million jobs exposed to AI globally — but net employment effects remain positive in advanced economies due to new job creation exceeding displacement.”