Whiteshield – a public policy and strategy advisory firm headquartered in London – last week released its Global Labour Resilience Index (GLRI) (that tracks the rate of implementation of Artificial Intelligence around the world) at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The report also highlights how nations adapt their labour markets to new challenges, including AI.
According to Whiteshield, the study looked at data from 118 countries over ten years.
It ranks countries on how well they respond to changes like automation and AI.
Results indicated that the United States and Singapore are leading the way, thanks to strong economies, flexible job markets, and major investments in AI.
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AI brings opportunities and risks
The report also explained how AI could improve the quality and efficiency of work. Whiteshield said that the implementation of AI was creating a number of new, never-heard-of-before jobs, such as AI data architects and human-AI interaction designers.
However, AI also has its downsides. It is definitely causing job losses and increasing wage inequality, says Whitefield.
The report suggests that governments should act now to lessen the impact of these unavoidable outcomes as a result of AI implementation.
“Proactive policies are needed to make sure everyone benefits from AI, not just a few,” Whiteshield says.
Global AI landscape
The United States dominates AI investment, accounting for 60% of global AI spending over the last decade. A quarter of the world’s AI startups are also based in the US. Singapore ranks second globally, combining strong governance with AI innovation.
European countries like Sweden, Germany, and the UK are in the top 10, showing resilience through education and research. But some, like Austria and Denmark, are slipping.
Sub-Saharan Africa struggles the most, with many countries ranked at the bottom. The report says poor education and weak labour policies make it hard for these nations to benefit from AI. However, the region has potential. A growing young population could be a huge advantage if proper investments are made.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), there is progress in AI investments, especially in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. But challenges remain, with many nations struggling to adopt AI widely.
The Asia-Pacific region shows balanced progress. Singapore is a standout performer, while China is strong in AI adoption but falls short on governance.
A call for action
Sir Christopher Pissarides, a Nobel Laureate and advisor at Whiteshield, said the report highlights the urgency of acting now. “By understanding how labour markets adapt, we can drive innovation and create opportunities that benefit everyone,” he said.
The report urges countries to invest in digital skills and AI infrastructure. Without this, Whiteshield says that the gap between successful and struggling nations will continue to grow.
Karan Bhatia, Google’s Head of Government Affairs, said governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to ensure AI benefits everyone. “The GLRI offers a roadmap for countries to navigate this new era,” he said.