IMF–World Bank 2026: AI reduces job demand by 10%
An IMF study of 700 million job postings reveals a 10% drop in hiring demand for roles exposed to AI, alongside a persistent need for tech-literate workers.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- IMF analyzed 700 million global job postings to study AI labor market impacts
- Hiring demand dropped 10% in occupations where AI can easily assist
- AI skills are categorized into three distinct levels from basic literacy to enterprise integration
- Thailand faces a dual challenge of shrinking workforces and negative AI labor impact
During the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings 2026, IMF researcher Divya Kirti presented key findings on how global labor markets are responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, utilizing an extensive dataset of 700 million job postings worldwide.
The research revealed two seemingly contradictory trends: employers have reduced hiring demand by approximately 10% in job roles where AI offers significant utility, yet companies continue to actively seek human workers in these very same fields rather than replacing them entirely.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This 10% reduction became noticeable following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, particularly through 2024 and 2025 in technical sectors like coding where AI excels. In contrast, roles requiring human context and relationship-building remained largely unaffected in hiring volume. Crucially, this percentage measures employer job postings rather than reflecting an immediate 10% surge in unemployment.
This data offers a reassuring nuance against total displacement fears, indicating that technological integration shifts employer expectations rather than eliminating human roles. Companies increasingly prioritize professionals who know how to leverage modern tools to boost output rather than resisting automation.
During the session Q&A, Kirti outlined three progressive tiers of AI proficiency that employers are actively looking for across various industries:
- Tier 1: Basic familiarity and practical application of AI tools in daily tasks
- Tier 2: Advanced expertise including prompt engineering and multi-step AI agents
- Tier 3: The ability to integrate AI systems with internal corporate knowledge bases
Examining the macroeconomic level, the impacts vary widely across countries. Advanced economies face higher initial task exposure but can utilize AI to mitigate aging populations and shrinking workforces. Conversely, developing nations face less immediate automation pressure in agriculture but must generate millions of new jobs for younger demographics.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
For Thailand, presentation charts positioned the nation among countries experiencing both a declining working-age population and negative overall labor demand impact from AI. This highlights an urgent need for educational systems and policymakers to monitor real-time skill requirements and support workforce transformation.
Source: Techsauce
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