AI's hidden impact: How low-skilled workers in the Global South are embracing new tools

Discussions about artificial intelligence's impact on the job market often focus on highly skilled professionals, overlooking the significant ways AI is already transforming work for low-skilled laborers, especially in the Global South. Standard metrics measuring occupational exposure to AI tend to highlight workers in developed nations, leaving a gap in understanding how AI is integrated into everyday tasks in developing economies.

During a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, observations at Greenmarket Square revealed numerous instances of AI use among informal vendors. A seller consulted a voice assistant for pricing, while another used a smartphone app to track inventory and sales. These scenes mirrored those commonly seen in Latin America, where plumbers use ChatGPT for estimates and seamstresses leverage AI-generated text for social media marketing.

These real-world applications contradict the findings of many AI exposure indices, which would classify these workers as having minimal exposure. The apparent paradox stems from a Western-centric view that fails to recognize the "natural order" of things in regions where workers often perform multiple roles. In countries with lower incomes, individuals frequently handle tasks like administration, customer service, and finance as part of their primary job, a phenomenon known as being a "todore" or jack-of-all-trades.

Research analyzing millions of online job postings in Latin America confirms that this multi-tasking role is prevalent across various skill levels. The study, conducted in partnership with Uruguay's Cinve, suggests that AI adoption in these regions is not confined to high-tech industries but is woven into the fabric of daily work for a much broader segment of the population. This underscores the need for more inclusive and context-aware methodologies to assess AI's true reach and impact on the global workforce.