Generative AI is poised to affect jobs once considered secure from automation, with significant changes anticipated for high-skilled roles and urban centers. Previously less impacted by automation, these areas are set to see notable changes as advanced AI technologies begin to take over cognitive, non-routine tasks.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently highlighted that the most significant impacts will be on regions previously insulated from automation. Generative AI’s capabilities suggest it will surpass previous technologies in its ability to streamline work processes across various high-skill sectors.

Importantly, the report notes that automation will extend beyond rural, manufacturing-focused areas. As more sectors integrate AI into their operations, cities hosting skilled professionals are expected to see broader effects. Specifically, industries such as education, ICT, and finance are predicted to feel the greatest impacts.

The report estimates that AI could improve productivity by enhancing the speed and efficiency of tasks, affecting about 25 percent of the labor force with the potential to influence 70 percent of the workforce in the future. While automation does not guarantee job losses, it fundamentally changes roles, requiring workers to adapt to new technologies.

Ultimately, the OECD recommends targeted regional policy interventions to harness the benefits of automation, emphasizing the necessity for strategic planning to support shifts in the labor market.