Globally, studies show that women in the labor force are paid less, hold fewer senior positions and participate less in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. A 2019 UNESCO report found that women represent only 29% of science R&D positions globally and are already 25% less likely than men to know how to leverage digital technology for basic uses.

In the future, experts believe the phrase “hybrid work” will not only mean a combination of office and remote working, but how humans and GenAI tools will divide the very tasks themselves.

The prevailing view today is that AI is more likely to assist workers than replace them. The experts we spoke to envisage AI taking on more and more admin and research jobs, freeing workers up for meatier tasks that let us flex our cognitive and creative skills.

From 2023 to 2032, the percent of jobs with high exposure scores (25% and above) could increase from 8% to 52%, a 550% uptick.

Rising demand for generative AI products could add about $280 billion of new software revenue, driven by specialized assistants, new infrastructure products, and copilots that accelerate coding.

The time is now, as gen AI begins to ramp up, for leaders to lay the foundation for a new trust compact, ensuring gen AI is a positive force not just for economic productivity but also for workers and society. If they succeed, we could be entering an age of unfathomable wealth and efficiency. If they don’t, we could be facing a long period of unrest and strife.

This progression will unfold for gen AI as businesses adapt, workers reskill and stakeholders adjust to the societal impact of the technology.