Children, Career, and AI: Threat or New Opportunities After a Break?

The modern workplace is in flux, and for parents, particularly mothers in Lithuania, the return from childcare leave is becoming increasingly complex. The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various industries is creating a new layer of challenge. While previously the main concern was re-acclimating to a job after a break, now there's the added pressure of adapting to evolving technologies. This is a significant point for Lithuanian society, where family values are strong, but the demands of a modern career, especially in tech-forward fields, are also rising.

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However, the United Nations International Labour Organization draws attention to the fact that it is women who more often work in positions where there are more routine, easily automatable tasks, so the development of AI poses a relatively greater risk to them than to men.

McKinsey's analysis highlights a critical gender disparity: women are disproportionately represented in roles susceptible to automation. This, coupled with the 'invisible labor' many women perform – tasks like organizing team events, mentoring new hires informally, or managing calendars – which don't contribute to career advancement, puts them at a distinct disadvantage. In Lithuania, where discussions around gender equality in the workplace are ongoing, this data from Delfi underscores the need for employers to actively support women returning from leave, ensuring they don't fall behind due to tasks that AI can now handle.

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However, until now, parents who have raised children have faced more or less the same job. Now we are facing a new challenge: before returning to work, it is no longer enough to arrange childcare – one must also adapt to improving technologies.

Daiva Kasperavičienė from Telia points out that AI's ability to take over routine administrative tasks, often the domain of this 'invisible labor,' could be a game-changer. Instead of simply needing childcare arrangements, returning parents now need to ensure their digital skills remain current. Employers play a crucial role here, needing to foster supportive environments that encourage continuous learning. This perspective is particularly relevant in Lithuania’s growing tech sector, where adaptability is key.

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Algorithms will not learn what parents develop while raising children: instantly understanding emotions, building trust-based relationships, masterfully negotiating, strategically planning.

Paradoxically, this AI-driven shift might create a unique opportunity for women. While AI excels at routine tasks, it cannot replicate uniquely human skills such as emotional intelligence, complex negotiation, and strategic planning – abilities often honed through the experience of raising children. By delegating routine duties to AI, women can potentially focus on higher-value, strategic work, accelerating their career progression. This optimistic outlook, emphasizing human skills in an age of automation, offers a hopeful narrative for Lithuanian women navigating career and family life.

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When women delegate routine tasks, which they encounter more often, to AI, they have more time to do what creates the greatest value.