IMF Warns AI Could Affect 40% of Jobs Worldwide

IMF projects AI will reshape nearly half of all jobs

The International Monetary Fund warned that artificial intelligence could affect around 40% of jobs worldwide. The IMF, an international organization that tracks global economic trends, released the figures as part of its latest assessment of how automation and AI tools are changing the workforce.

The report noted that younger workers are likely to feel the impact first. Early-career roles and entry-level positions tend to involve tasks that AI systems can now perform, according to the IMF's analysis.

Key figures from the report

• AI could affect approximately 40% of jobs globally
• Younger workers are expected to be among the first to feel changes
• The IMF framed the shift as part of a broader wave of automation affecting economies worldwide

What the IMF says

The IMF did not issue a specific prediction about when the changes would fully unfold. Its language described the trend as ongoing rather than sudden. The organization has previously highlighted how technology adoption is reshaping labor markets across both developed and developing economies.

Why this matters

The IMF's warning adds weight to a growing conversation among economists and policymakers about how rapidly AI tools are being adopted. While the report does not focus on any single industry, the implication is that workers in roles involving routine digital tasks may see the most immediate disruption.

What is still unclear

The IMF projection is a high-level estimate and does not break down impact by country, sector, or job type. It also does not specify whether the 40% figure represents jobs fully replaced by AI or roles significantly altered by AI assistance. The report itself does not offer a detailed timeline for when these changes will play out.

Sources

• Decrypt