IMF's Georgieva Warns AI Could Impact 60% of Jobs

Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stated that artificial intelligence (AI) could affect approximately 60% of jobs in advanced economies and 23% in low-income countries. Speaking at the 2026 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, she described AI as a "slow-moving tsunami" that could transform, downgrade, or eliminate jobs.

Georgieva noted that AI is stimulating investment and economic activity, particularly in the United States, China, and India, through the construction of data centers and the development of AI models. She emphasized that future benefits from AI depend on effective adoption, requiring reliable electricity, digital infrastructure, and appropriate skills.

An IMF study indicated that about 10% of jobs in the U.S. already require advanced AI skills, with a concerning trend of employment growth in lower-paying areas. Georgieva warned that young people entering the labor market are particularly vulnerable due to the decline of routine entry-level positions, urging governments to monitor labor trends and reform education systems.