A recent analysis highlights how artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt certain occupations more than others, with women holding many of the most vulnerable roles. Researchers from the Brookings Institution and the Centre for the Governance of AI combined public and private data sets to examine exposure to automation across American jobs. They also assessed workers’ ability to transition to new positions when changes occur. The findings point to significant risks for employees in fields already dominated by women.
Among 37.1 million U.S. workers identified as highly exposed to AI-driven job displacement, roughly 6.1 million face particular difficulty adapting. These individuals tend to be older and have limited financial resources to weather career shifts. Nearly 86 percent of this harder-to-adapt group work in office and administrative support roles. Such positions have long been targeted by technological advances.
Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that the pattern reflects structural issues in the economy rather than individual capabilities. “These are jobs that have been under attack for a long time,” he told CBS News. He stressed that the vulnerability stems from the types of roles women typically occupy. The data underscores systemic factors shaping labor market risks for female workers.
In contrast, about 26.5 million workers appear better positioned to navigate AI-related changes. Many of them possess broader skill sets that facilitate transitions to comparable-paying jobs. Researchers estimate that around 70 percent of this group could move into new roles without major income loss. These employees often work in marketing, finance, science, and technical or managerial fields.
Sam Manning, senior researcher at the Centre for the Governance of AI, explained that diverse competencies provide an advantage in dynamic environments. “In those jobs, a wider range of skills is used, unlike in some administrative and office roles where key competencies are more narrowly defined,” he told CBS News. Workers with varied expertise can more readily incorporate AI tools into their daily tasks. This flexibility helps them remain competitive as automation expands.
Both experts recommend that employees proactively engage with artificial intelligence technologies. Experimenting with available tools can boost productivity and strengthen professional standing. Learning to collaborate with AI may open new opportunities during career transitions. Such preparation becomes especially valuable for anyone in routine-heavy positions.
The Brookings Institution, founded in 1916, is a prominent nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., known for research on economics, governance, and social issues. The Centre for the Governance of AI focuses on understanding and guiding the societal implications of advanced artificial intelligence. Studies like this one build on earlier warnings from organizations such as the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Global Institute, which have projected that tens of millions of jobs worldwide could be automated or significantly altered by 2030. Generative AI tools, capable of handling language-based and cognitive tasks, have accelerated concerns beyond traditional manufacturing roles.
Office and administrative support occupations employ millions in the United States and often involve repetitive data processing, scheduling, and record-keeping—tasks increasingly performed by software. Women make up the majority in many of these categories, including secretaries, customer service representatives, and data entry clerks. Historical patterns of occupational segregation have channeled women into such fields, which typically offer lower wages and fewer advancement paths compared to technical or leadership positions dominated by men. As AI adoption grows across businesses seeking efficiency gains, these dynamics could widen existing gender gaps in employment stability and earnings.
Experts broadly agree that upskilling remains the most effective response for affected workers. Community colleges, online platforms, and employer-sponsored training programs increasingly offer courses on AI literacy and complementary digital skills. Governments and companies that invest in retraining initiatives tend to see smoother labor market transitions. Proactive adaptation can turn potential disruption into opportunity for many individuals.
What are your thoughts on how AI might affect your own career or industry—share them in the comments.
