A recent report from investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has raised alarm over the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence on the global workforce.
According to the research, generative AI systems like ChatGPT and other large language models could automate up to 25% of work tasks in the U.S. and Europe.
It warned that the technology could disrupt as many as 300 million full-time jobs worldwide.
The report suggests that certain industries particularly administrative support, legal services, and engineering are at significant risk of displacement due to advances in AI-driven automation.
Nigeria, with over 60% of its population under 25, faces a dual challenge: reaping the benefits of AI adoption for economic growth, while also upskilling millions to prevent digital job displacement.
Many businesses have already begun adopting AI tools to streamline operations and reduce costs, potentially cutting out entry-level positions traditionally filled by young graduates.
In Nigeria, experts are calling on the government to invest more in STEM education, expand vocational tech training, and create clear AI governance frameworks to mitigate negative outcomes.
“Generative AI has the potential to significantly boost labor productivity, but it also poses a substantial challenge for certain categories of white-collar employment,” the report noted.
The research identified administrative roles as the most vulnerable, with an estimated 46% of tasks in that field considered automatable.
Legal (44%), architecture and engineering (37%), and business operations (35%) also ranked high on the list of affected sectors.
Meanwhile, jobs requiring manual labor, such as construction (6%) and maintenance (4%), are expected to see minimal disruption.
Despite the concerns, Goldman Sachs emphasized the upside of AI integration, estimating a potential 7% increase in global GDP and a 1.5 percentage point boost in U.S. labor productivity over the next decade.
While the economic outlook appears optimistic in the long run, the bank cautioned that job displacement is likely to precede job creation, placing pressure on governments and businesses to support reskilling and workforce adaptation.
The report calls for proactive investment in training, education, and responsible AI deployment policies to ensure a balanced transition.
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