International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN: 2319-7064
SJIF (2022): 7.942

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Global

Workforce
Chapman Eze Nnadozie

chapsuccess[at]gmail.com

School of Science and Technology, Department of Computer Science, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper intends to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global workforce. The objectives of the study
are to find out whether the use of AI systems in industries promotes job efficiency, leads to a diminishing/increasing workforce, and
leads to an imbalance workforce. The methodology adopted is the use of questionnaire that is administered on a total of fifty-three (53)
respondents drawn from industries that have partially implemented AI systems across three (3) countries - the United States of America
(12), United Kingdom (12), and Nigeria (29). The major findings of this research show that the integration of AI systems in industries
has made the workforce more efficient in terms of service delivery, displays the potential of creating more new jobs amidst fears of job
losses, and in some cases, it has been perceived to be creating an imbalance workforce.

Keywords: impact, artificial intelligence, global workforce, imbalance workforce

1.Introduction 3.Objectives of the study

There is a popular notion that rapid technological This study intends to –
growth and innovations can threaten employment. A
survey has this assertion that the adoption of Artificial 1. Find out whether the use of AI systems by organizations
Intelligence (AI) by businesses has risen by 270% within promotes job efficiency.
the last 4 years [1]. Notably, the world‟s economy today is 2. Find out whether the use of AI systems by organizations
seen to be faced with enormous challenges, ranging from leads to a diminishing/increasing workforce.
declining workforce and uncontrollable rising inflation 3. Find out whether the use of AI systems by organizations
trends. It, therefore, becomes imperative that thinking leads to an imbalance workforce.
out of the box is needed in order to strike a balance
between the workforce and the productive industries on 4.Research Questions
one hand, and on the other hand, weighing the implications
of the rapid rise of calls for automation of tasks by The research questions advanced for this study are as
industries on the workforce. This is what the induction of follows:
Artificial Intelligence systems alongside human workforce
has brought to bear in today‟s world stage. Contrary to 1. Could the adoption of AI systems by organizations
popular perception that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is promote job efficiency?
taking away many jobs, the author intends to duress the 2. Could the use of AI systems by organizations lead to a
point that AI is more of a compliment to institutional diminishing/increasing workforce?
growth than a replacement to human workforce. This 3. Could the use of AI systems by organizations lead to an
paper intends to investigate the impact of the application imbalance workforce?
of AI systems by organizations on the global workforce.
5.Literature Survey
2.Problem Definition
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has enormous
The automation of tasks in organizations is on the rise. potentials geared towards making the workforce more
This raises fears that sooner or later most human jobs will viable in terms of productivity, speed and accuracy of its
be overtaken by Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. This performance. AI systems is seen to perform mainly routine
fear is further compounded by the fact that robotic tasks, and some non- routine tasks [2]. Similarly, the
installations by industries has risen significantly over the effective and accurate execution of tasks is based on AI‟s
last decade amounting to more worries of potential job capability of learning and improving itself through
losses. The perception that automation of tasks is more machine learning. Several tasks such as information
rewarding has placed the workforce in a state of job retrieval, logistics coordination, financial services
adjustments. This study intends to unravel the impact that provision, business report writing, and even disease
the rising quest for automation of industries has on the diagnoses are done accurately, timely, and at a lesser cost
workforce. by AI systems [3]. AI is bringing about major
improvements in the workplace as it enhances the meeting
up of goods demand [4]. AI systems have been seen to be
cost-effective due to the fact that its production output is
always very huge [5] [6] [7]. ChatGPT (Generative Pre-

Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024

Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: MR24206150601 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR24206150601 1144
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
SJIF (2022): 7.942
trained Transformer), an AI app launched in 2023, has the which is tantamount to substitution of labour. This means
potential of helping the workforce achieve their goals that certain job titles will soon become obsolete [12] [13]
easily. For example, teachers can easily develop teaching [14]. AI systems are having tremendous impact on jobs as
materials as well as identify its‟ students that commit it performs diverse tasks through automation. Workers are
plagiarism when given an assignment or thesis to write [8]. expected to upskill on their new modified roles in order to
Robotic installations by especially the manufacturing and retain their jobs. This makes employment to be driven by
retail industries are on the rise. The year 2023 has the upskilling of the populace with AI tools to make them
experienced a rapid growth in robotic installations. Global employable [15] [16] [17]. It is highlighted by [17] that
inventory has shown that over 3.5 million functional educational level vis-à-vis employment is key to staying at
robots are so far in use with steady rising demands for job. The core working skills needed are ranked with the
robots worth over fifteen billion US dollars foremost seen to be “analytical thinking” and followed by
($15,000,000,000) this 2023. Robotic technology has “creative thinking”.
helped industries in enhancing production output by
consuming less energy thereby saving both costs and time AI is predicted by several authors to eventually lead to job
of production. Today‟s robots are made to be user-friendly losses due to the automation of several tasks in industries.
as they collaborate with the available workforce to make However, every technological change era from history
them more efficient [9]. has been proven to create some new jobs just as it
phases out some others [1] [15] [17] [18] [19] [20]. The
Unlike other technologies ever developed, AI is seen to be rapid transition of occupations from what it used to be
exceptional as it tends to compete with the human implies that the workers need to embrace the change by
workforce on a higher scale. It is therefore, perceived that upskilling themselves to fit into their new roles [17].
it is definitely a threat to the global workforce [11] [12] Figure 1 shows the ratings of job growths (in percentages)
[13] [14]. Several jobs are now taken over by AI systems in the year 2023.

Figure 1: Largest job growth in 2023 [17]

On the other hand, figure 2 shows the percentage ratings of largest jobs decline in the year 2023.

Figure 2: Largest job decline in 2023 [17]

One of the major drawbacks of AI systems is the fact that are susceptible to cyberattacks [16]. A published
it can be trained to be bias. Individuals can be assessment has it that the employment sectors in Finland,
marginalized in one way or the other. They have the Germany and across Europe will be affected by
potential of being bias and discriminatory once the automation at the rates of 35%, 59% and 45 to 60%
algorithm that was used to train it is bias. Also, AI systems respectively [21].

Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024

Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: MR24206150601 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR24206150601 1145
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
SJIF (2022): 7.942
6.Methodology respondents were workers based in the United States of
America, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria respectively.
The main instrument used in carrying out this research is The author will derive its assertions through the analysis of
the questionnaire. A total of nine (9) questions is drawn the responses obtained, and compare same to already
from the three (3) research questions earlier stated, and existing findings by other authors on the subject matter –
administered on fifty-three (53) respondents working in Artificial Intelligence. Table 1 shows the questions and
organizations that are partially automated. A total of their respective responses.
twelve (12), twelve (12), and twenty-nine (29) of the

Table I: Questions and their respective responses.

Sn. Question Yes No Uncertain
1. Are jobs done more accurately than before? 46 (87%) 5 (9%) 2 (4%)
2. Is automation of tasks cost-effective? 49 (92%) 1 (2%) 3 (6%)
3. Has automation made your job easier? 43 (81%) 6(11%) 4 (8%)
4. Are some of your jobs taken over by AI systems? 48 (91%) 2 (4%) 3 (6%)
5. Are you afraid of possibly losing your job to AI systems? 39 (74%) 11 (21%) 3 (6%)
6. Can the advent of AI systems lead to job creation in the long run? 34 (64%) 15 (28%) 4 (8%)
7. Do you feel that some AI systems can be made to be bias? 41 (77%) 11 (21%) 1 (2%)
8. Are you comfortable with your job taken over by AI systems? 42 (79%) 4 (8%) 7 (13%)
9. Can AI be used to bridge your rights and privacy? 45 (85%) 5 (9%) 3 (6%)

7.Results and Discussions

This research paper is geared towards ascertaining the
impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global
workforce. The findings will be discussed based on the
three (3) research questions posed to the respondents by
the author. Research question one (1) seeks to ascertain
whether the adoption of AI systems by organizations
promotes job efficiency. Questions one (1) to three (3)
were framed to address this. To investigate whether jobs
are done more accurately than before, a total of 46 workers
representing 87% of the respondents concur to this. This
assertion is in line with the findings of [2], [3] and [4]
which ascertain that AI systems are more effective and can
always produce accurate results. Question two (2) seeks to Figure 3: AI promotes job efficiency
verify whether the automation of tasks is cost-effective,
and 92% of the respondents responded positively to the Question 4 seeks to know whether some of their jobs are
question. This assertion is in line with the findings of [5], taken over by AI systems. Overwhelmingly, 48 of the
[6], and [7] which state that AI systems has been seen to respondents representing 91% say “yes”. This assertion is
be cost-effective due to the fact that it‟s use yields huge in line with the findings of [15], [16], and [17] which say
production output. In like manner, the assertion is in line that AI is having significant impact on jobs as it performs
with the finding of [3] when it says that several tasks are diverse tasks through automation. Similarly, the findings
done accurately, timely and at a lower cost. Question three of [11], [12] and [13] is in accordance to the above
(3) seeks to find out whether automation has made the job assertion when they say that the taking over of jobs by AI
done by the workforce easier. From the responses amounts to substitution of labour. Question 5 seeks to
gathered, 43 representing a total of 81% of the workers ascertain whether the workforce is afraid of possibly
agree that automation makes their work easier. This losing their jobs to AI systems. From the responses, 39
assertion is in line with the finding of [9] which says that representing 74% and 11 representing 21% of the
the use of robots in industries has made the workforce to respondents answered “yes” and “no” respectively. The
be more efficient. Similarly, it is also in line with the assertion is in line with the findings of [11], [12], [13], and
finding of [8] which says that chatGPT has the potential of [14] when they point out that AI is perceived to be a threat
helping the workforce achieve their goals easily. Figure 3 to the global workforce. Similarly, the findings of [15],
shows a bar chart that represents the variants of the [16], and [17] align with the assertion when they say that
respondent‟s responses with regards to questions 1 to 3. the fear of job losses has led to the growing quest of
From the responses, it is therefore, established that the workers for upskilling so that they would remain
adoption of AI systems promotes job efficiency. employable. Finally, question 6 seeks to know whether the
advent of AI systems can lead to the creation of more new
jobs in the long run. The respondents that says “yes” is 34
representing 64% of the respondents as against 15 and 4
respondents that say “no” and “uncertain” respectively.
This assertion is in line with the findings of [1], [15],
[17], [18], [19], and [20] when they say that

Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024

Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: MR24206150601 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR24206150601 1146
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
SJIF (2022): 7.942
technological change leads to the creation of some new
jobs as it phases out some others. Questions four (4) to six
(6) are meant to answer the second research question that
seeks to establish whether the use of AI systems by
organizations can lead to a diminishing/increasing
workforce. The findings show that the use of AI systems
by organizations leads to a diminishing workforce on one
hand, while on the other hand it would lead to an
increasing workforce in the long run as it creates more
jobs. Figure 4 shows a bar chart that represents the
responses obtained from questions 4 to 6 that seeks to
establish whether AI leads to a diminishing/increasing
workforce.

Figure 5: AI systems use can lead to an imbalanced

workforce.

8.Conclusion
The workplace over the last decades has been experiencing
a lot of transformations that has directly or indirectly
affected the workforce. The findings of this study have
shown that the implementation of AI systems by industries
does the following –

a) Promotes job efficiency as it delivers jobs more

accurately at less cost, and eases the workforce from
Figure 4: AI systems use leads to a diminishing/increasing doing herculean tasks;
workforce b) Amidst fears of job losses, the workforce has the
opportunity of reskilling / upskilling to fit into new
Questions 7, 8, and 9 are designed to address the research roles, and by so doing will remain employable;
question 3 which intends to find out whether the use of AI c) The potential of the use of AI systems leading to
systems in industries can lead to an imbalance workforce. creation of more new jobs in the long run is factual; and
Question 7 samples the responses of the respondents on d) An imbalance workforce can be created if proper
whether they feel that AI systems can be made to be bias. legislation is not proffered to guide against making some
A total of 41 representing 77% of the respondents said ai systems to be biased or exposed to cyberattacks.
“yes”. This assertion is in line with the finding of [16]
when it says that AI systems have the potential of being
bias and discriminatory once the algorithm used to train it 9.Recommendation
is bias. Question 8 tries to ascertain how the workers feel
on the fact that AI systems are taking their jobs. In Today‟s workforce is faced with evolving rapid
response a total of 42 representing 79% of the respondents transformation of jobs, and the immense need for them
says „yes‟. This assertion is in line with the finding of [17] to upskill in order to remain relevant in this digital age.
which says that the workers need to embrace the change Employers, government and workers need informed
by upskilling themselves to fit into their new roles. collaboration to ensure that job disruptions and
Question 9 is posed to ascertain whether workers know displacements are effectively managed for the betterment
that AI can be used to bridge their rights and privacy. In of all and sundry. In the part of the employers, effective
response, 45 representing 85% of the respondents said communication is key to convince their already employed
“yes”. This assertion is in line with the finding of [16] workforce on the need for their retraining to remain
which says that AI systems are susceptible to cyberattacks. relevant. The government needs to formulate good policy
Cyberattacks can be perpetuated by dubious persons both guidelines that would guarantee privacy and security of
within and outside the organization to steal people‟s the vast individual data that AI systems now access. Skills
personal information. Figure 6 shows the bar chart identified to be very risky, which are handled by AI
representation of the responses to questions 7, 8, and 9 systems, need to be protected for better outcomes to ensure
which are targeted at answering the research question 3 that unscrupulous elements do not highjack it. Finally, the
that seeks to know whether the use of AI systems can lead workforce and all stakeholders need to embrace these
to an imbalanced workforce. The findings, therefore, show unformidable transitions in order to offset the imbalance
that AI systems in organizations can be abused in one way between AI skills acquisition and the workforce.
or the other to create an imbalanced workforce.
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Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024
Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal
www.ijsr.net
Paper ID: MR24206150601 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR24206150601 1147
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
SJIF (2022): 7.942
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Volume 13 Issue 2, February 2024
Fully Refereed | Open Access | Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal
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Paper ID: MR24206150601 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR24206150601 1148