AI Growth Linked to Rising Youth Unemployment, ILO Warns
Listen to the story
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is worsening unemployment among young people worldwide.
According to the ILO, this could mark a 'new crisis' for youth employment, especially for people aged 15 to 24.
AI technology can now perform many tasks that were once done by humans. This includes both simple and complex jobs.
As companies adopt AI tools, some traditional entry-level positions may become obsolete. This means these jobs will no longer be needed.
The ILO says millions of jobs around the world could disappear as AI use continues to grow.
Young workers are especially vulnerable because they often start in the type of jobs that AI can now do.
Many first jobs, such as basic office work or simple customer service, are examples of roles at risk.
The ILO's warning highlights growing concern about how technology is changing the modern job market.
Experts say governments and companies need to prepare young people with new skills for the future.
This could help reduce the negative effects of AI on youth employment.
The ILO has not given exact numbers for how many jobs could be lost, but it stresses that the risk is global.
The organization is calling for urgent action to address this emerging crisis before it grows worse.
Vocabulary7 words
- International Labour Organization
- a big international group that protects workers' rights
- artificial intelligence
- computer systems that can do tasks like thinking or problem-solving
- obsolete
- no longer needed or used
- disappear
- to stop existing
- vulnerable
- easily affected or hurt by something
- entry-level
- a job for someone with little experience
- crisis
- a very serious and difficult situation
Quiz
Answer key
1. AI is worsening youth unemployment worldwide 2. They often start in jobs that AI can now perform 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is _____ unemployment among young people worldwide.
According to the ILO, this could mark a 'new _____' for youth employment, especially for people aged 15 to 24.
AI technology can now perform many tasks that were once done by _____. This includes both simple and complex jobs.
As companies adopt AI tools, some traditional entry-level positions may become _____. This means these jobs will no longer be needed.
The ILO says millions of jobs around the world could _____ as AI use continues to grow.
Young workers are especially _____ because they often start in the type of jobs that AI can now do.
Many first jobs, such as basic office work or simple customer service, are examples of roles at _____.
The ILO's warning highlights growing concern about how technology is changing the modern job _____.
Experts say governments and companies need to prepare young people with new _____ for the future.
The ILO has not given exact numbers for how many jobs could be lost, but it stresses that the risk is _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think AI is more likely to help or harm young workers entering the job market? Why?
- What skills do you think young people should learn to prepare for an AI-driven job market?
- Have you seen any examples of AI replacing entry-level jobs in your own country?
- Should governments create special programs to protect young workers from AI-related job losses? What might they look like?