UN Says AI Will Impact 40% Of Jobs Worldwide

The United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shared a new report this Monday, Technology and Innovation Report 2025, revealing that AI could affect 40% of jobs across the globe and urging nations to take action. The agency also estimates the AI market will reach $4.8 trillion by 2033.

According to the official document shared by the agency, the use of AI can bring multiple benefits to workers, but also risks and job losses. The UNCTAD also acknowledges that AI shows different patterns and behaviours compared to other historic technological waves.

“AI can perform cognitive tasks and impact a far wider range of activities, conceivably affecting 40 per cent of global employment, transforming production processes and business operations,” states the document. “AI can bring productivity gains and increase the income of some workers, but also cause others to lose their jobs, reshaping workplace dynamics and labour demand.”

The organization explains that AI has already been impacting in multiple ways. It can enhance jobs, particularly in developing countries, by boosting productivity and creating new roles. At the same time, AI models—and combinations of emerging technologies—are expected to replace some human jobs. For instance, the report notes that AI can monitor financial transactions in the banking sector to detect fraud or anomalies more efficiently. In healthcare, AI can assist doctors in diagnosing cancer by analyzing radiographs and electrocardiograms.

Considering the global economy and development landscape, UNCTAD warns about the location and the businesses in power over frontier technologies. According to the study, most developing countries lag behind in research and development—except for China.

The United States and China hold 60% of AI patents and 33% of AI publications. In infrastructure, the U.S. takes the lead with around 50% of the world’s computing power and a third of the top supercomputers.

“There is a significant AI-related divide between developed and developing countries,” states the report. “This could widen existing inequalities and hinder efforts by developing countries to catch up.”

UNCTAD urges governments and policymakers to understand the complex dynamics of AI to ensure an equitable impact of AI, support job transitions, and create AI solutions for developing countries—always prioritizing keeping human workers.

The European Union has already implemented the first AI Act and recently published guidelines to prevent misuse of the technology. However, other nations still have a long way to go.