Artificial intelligence is reshaping debates about the future of work across the world. This policy note examines how AI exposure is measured, reviews the occupational data and methodologies underlying widely cited estimates, and discusses what these approaches imply for labour markets in low- and middle-income countries.
By Thisuri Rojie Ekanayake Worldwide, shocking news headlines about the impact of Artificial Intelligence or AI on jobs have been a plenty lately. Often, these articles attest that a large share of work is expected to be affected by AI, sparking concern of automation and mass layoffs at unprecedented rates.
As digital labour platforms continue to expand across Asia, debates on the future of work often circle back to a familiar reference point: ride-hailing apps such as Uber. But focusing on one dominant model can obscure more than it reveals—particularly in countries like India, where platform work has taken on diverse forms across sectors such as home-based services, education, logistics, agriculture, and healthcare.
