By Graeme Wearden,Heather Stewart
Publication Date: 2026-01-23 13:35:00
Artificial intelligence will be a “tsunami on the job market” and young people will be most affected, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned on Friday at the World Economic Forum.
Kristalina Georgieva told delegates in Davos that the IMF’s own research suggests there will be a major shift in demand for skills as technology becomes more widespread.
“We expect that in the next few years, 60% of jobs in advanced economies will be affected by AI, either improved, eliminated or transformed – 40% globally,” she said. “It’s like a tsunami hitting the job market.”
She pointed out that in advanced economies, one in 10 jobs have already been “upgraded” by AI, which tends to increase the wages of these workers, which in turn brings benefits to the local economy.
In contrast, Georgieva warned that AI would eliminate many roles traditionally filled by younger workers. “The tasks that are no longer necessary are usually the tasks that are currently being taken on by beginners, i.e. young people…
