CNBC's analysis looks back at the personal computer revolution to assess AI's likely effect on women in the workplace. In 1980, nearly 4.7 million Americans worked as secretaries, stenographers, and typists, and more than 98% were women. When IBM introduced the PC in 1981 and Microsoft Word followed two years later, many of those dedicated clerical roles were absorbed by other office workers, who could now type their own reports and book their own travel.
But the PC was not entirely bad news for women. Women were already more likely than men to use computers at work, and many used spreadsheets and databases to make themselves indispensable. The article suggests AI could follow a similar pattern, eliminating tasks rather than entire jobs and giving workers more time for value-added work that only humans can do. A 2022 paper cited by CNBC found that office software adoption led to a 1% employment decline in the sector but a 3% wage increase for college graduates.
There are also structural differences today. More women hold college and advanced degrees and managerial positions than in past technological shifts, which may offer some protection. But the article cautions that AI is expected to move up the value chain of human jobs, and the outlook is unclear. As researcher Hegewisch puts it, somewhat ominously, "AI can learn."