Lower-paid workers in Iceland more likely to fear impact of AI on their jobs

Artificial intelligence is already changing the nature of work, and its impact on the labour market is expected to be widespread in the coming years. Varða (Labour Market Research Institute) has published a new report on the effects of technological advances and climate change on workers' jobs. Kristín Heba Gísladóttir, chief executive of Varða, says workers generally view technological developments positively, although there are differences between occupational groups. A quarter expect their jobs to change in the coming years The report's findings reveal that a quarter of workers represented by ASÍ (Icelandic Confederation of Labour) and BSRB (Federation of State and Municipal Employees) believe their jobs will change in the coming years as a result of technological advances and climate change. Workers see both positive and negative consequences arising from these developments. Generally speaking, we can say that workers see considerable benefits in the technological changes ahead and believe they could make their jobs easier. However, the findings reveal differences between groups, with higher earners seeing opportunities while lower-paid workers are more concerned about their circumstances. People on lower incomes, and immigrants too, are concerned about their job security in connection with these changes, while those on higher incomes see greater benefits in how the changes will make their jobs easier. AI being used in recruitment "Who will benefit in the age of artificial intelligence?" is among the questions being examined in the research project Digital Societies, Technology and Artificial Intelligence, launched by the University of Iceland around the beginning of this month. Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, professor of sociology at the University of Iceland, says AI was initially used extensively only by large companies, but that has now changed considerably. This type of technology is now being used quite widely, including by smaller companies and here in Iceland too. It is not uncommon for people to use AI to improve their CVs and job applications, while companies also use artificial intelligence to identify the most promising applicants. Guðbjörg says this is an understandable development, but there are certain drawbacks to allowing AI to make decisions about individuals. When AI examines applications, it searches general databases and can also trace individuals' digital footprints. Its reach extends across borders, bringing both advantages and disadvantages. It draws conclusions based on the digital footprints of people it considers similar to the individual concerned. If it were assessing me, it might conclude: I'm a woman of this age, I've worked in this field, and women like me are this way or that. Guðbjörg says AI has been shown to perpetuate certain stereotypes in this way. The black box problem AI can be useful when applied appropriately, for example when identifying applicants who hold a driving licence. However, when AI is asked to determine which applicant is best qualified, its decisions become much less predictable. Guðbjörg says this is known as the black box problem. You don't know why it has selected those five individuals as the most qualified, because it is working from the information it has been fed, but it is also using digital footprints and drawing conclusions about people's abilities based on something it considers reasonable.