--- title: "Artificial Intelligence and Work: Risks and Opportunities in an Evolving World" description: "Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming work: risks, opportunities, and its impact on the labor market." image: https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hubfs/DataDrivenCompany4_Data%26Analysis.png --- [kireygroup.com](https://www.kireygroup.com/) [![](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hubfs/item-2020-dicembre/logo-Blog-v2.svg)](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news) - [Ita](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/news/intelligenza-artificiale-e-lavoro-rischi-e-opportunità-in-un-mondo-che-evolve?hsLang=it) - Eng - [Esp](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/es/news?hsLang=en) [Kireygroup.com](https://www.kireygroup.com/) # Get your daily dose of tech! ## We Shape Your Knowledge # [Welfare: from compliance to competitiveness, digital services and technologies are key to pension funds’ future](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/welfare-digital-services-and-technologies-are-key-to-pension-funds-future?hsLang=en) By Michela Sertorio, Business Line Manager - BU Pension Funds atKirey. [Read more](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/welfare-digital-services-and-technologies-are-key-to-pension-funds-future?hsLang=en) 9 MIN READ 26 October 2026 ### Latest News - [Welfare: from compliance to competitiveness, digital services and technologies are key to pension funds’ future](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/welfare-digital-services-and-technologies-are-key-to-pension-funds-future?hsLang=en) - [Inference Costs: how to prevent AI agents from driving costs up exponentially](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/inference-costs-how-to-prevent-ai-agents-from-driving-costs-up-exponentially?hsLang=en) - [Kirey Advisory at the ABI Lab workshop on Processes, Operations and Organization](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/kirey-advisory-at-the-abi-lab-workshop-on-processes-operations-and-organization?hsLang=en) - [Kirey Strengthens Its SAP Presence: Mind The Value Achieves Reselling Partner Status](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/kirey-strengthens-its-sap-presence-mind-the-value-achieves-reselling-partner-status?hsLang=en) - [The Dark Side of Multicloud: how to prevent workload placement from generating technical debt](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/the-dark-side-of-multicloud-how-to-prevent-workload-placement-from-generating-technical-debt?hsLang=en) - [Shadow AI: 4 out of 5 employees use tools not governed by the company](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/shadow-ai-4-out-of-5-employees-use-tools-not-governed-by-the-company?hsLang=en) - [Artificial Intelligence](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/artificial-intelligence) / # Artificial Intelligence and Work: Risks and Opportunities in an Evolving World #### Kirey [![](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hubfs/it.svg)](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/news/intelligenza-artificiale-e-lavoro-rischi-e-opportunità-in-un-mondo-che-evolve?hsLang=it)    [![](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hubfs/ES.svg)](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/?hsLang=es) 7 MIN READ 24 January 2025 - Share on: - - - - [All](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/news?hsLang=en) - Categories + - [Corporate](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/corporate) - [Cybersecurity](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/cybersecurity) - [Cloud](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/cloud) - [Data Value](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/data-value) - [Innovation](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/innovation) - [Artificial Intelligence](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [Software Development](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/software-development) - [Corporate Social Responsibility](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/corporate-social-responsibility) - [Advisory](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/advisory) - [Welfare & Social Services](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/welfare-social-services) - [Press & PR](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/tag/press) According to the Politecnico di Milano Observatory, **77% of Italians are concerned about [artificial intelligence](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/products/artificial-intelligence)'s potential impact** on the labor market. In the past two years, particularly since [GenAI](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/the-true-opportunity-of-generative-ai-and-how-to-seize-it?hsLang=en) demonstrated its capabilities, the relationship between artificial intelligence and work has become a hot topic. Two perspectives have emerged: one more optimistic, which sees GenAI as **the ultimate tool to eliminate routine, low-value tasks,** enabling companies to refocus part of their workforce on more significant activities; and a more pessimistic view, emphasizing GenAI's ability to **replace roles that employ thousands, if not millions, of people,** with clear consequences for current and future employment. ## Automation becomes smarter The 77% of Italians who are wary of AI focus on **its ties to automation**, which has grown smarter and able to surpass predefined boundaries over the years. Traditional automation has **always targeted the most routine, repetitive, and rule-based tasks**. Robotic Process Automation, the technological cornerstone of digital system automation, has consistently applied itself solely to **predictable, repetitive areas of business processes.** Today, however, we are witnessing a pivotal shift in the concept of [hyperautomation](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/hyperautomation-how-to-transform-business-processes-with-intelligent-automation?hsLang=en), which not only expands automation’s scope but also enriches it with advanced components like Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning. These advancements **grant machines decision-making capabilities that seemed like pure science fiction** just a few years ago. This transition from traditional to intelligent automation not only marks a new chapter in the relationship between humans, work, and technology but also creates apprehension among today's and tomorrow's workforce. ## Artificial Intelligence and Work: The Disruptive Role of GenAI As mentioned, GenAI has intensified discussions about the connection between artificial intelligence and work. Its ability to generate content, images, code, videos, documents, and other outputs that were once exclusively human tasks—using natural language instructions (prompts)—**has had a rapid and significant impact on the labor market.** Just months after the introduction of ChatGPT, there was a recorded [21% decline](https://hbr.org/2024/11/research-how-gen-ai-is-already-impacting-the-labor-market) in job postings for *automatable* roles, with a particular focus on jobs related to writing and the IT sector, especially coding and software engineering. How have organizations responded to this revolution? Observing the market, three main approaches can be identified: 1. Some organizations have embraced Generative AI quickly and extensively **to streamline processes and reduce costs.** GenAI has been immediately identified as a powerful driver of productivity and efficiency, leading to its rapid integration *wherever possible* to boost competitiveness. 2. Other organizations, particularly in specific sectors like education and media, have **developed and implemented restrictive policies**. This stems largely from fears of losing control over their data and fueling the use of unauthorized tools. Such an approach is clearly temporary, awaiting a new equilibrium in the relationship between humans and machines. 3. Some organizations have begun exploring **the concept of job augmentation**, integrating AI to enhance the skills, productivity, and capabilities of their employees. This balanced and forward-looking approach appears destined to become **the reference model for the future of work.** ## We Are Far from Human-Machine Substitution The impact of AI on work is undoubtedly complex and requires a thorough evaluation, ideally supported by reliable data. Fortunately, some key points remain clear: [research suggests](https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/how-generative-ai-can-boost-highly-skilled-workers-productivity) that the use of generative AI in specific contexts **can increase individual productivity by up to 40%,** creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses. Not surprisingly, those who have sought to limit the use of this technology have done so solely to buy time while developing tailored strategies. The impact on the labor market is and will be significant. According to the [Politecnico di Milano,](https://www.osservatori.net/comunicato/artificial-intelligence/intelligenza-artificiale-italia/) artificial intelligence has the potential to automate **50% of equivalent full-time jobs** (FTEs, meaning the total jobs derived from the hours allocated to automatable tasks). Even more striking is the estimate that, in the Italian context, "*over the next 10 years, the new capabilities of machines could perform the work of 3.8 million people*." While potentially alarming, these figures highlight the need for a balanced approach that can harness AI's opportunities while mitigating its risks, including social ones. To better understand the phenomenon, it is essential to emphasize the term "*potential*." AI may potentially take over the work of nearly four million people in Italy, but it is equally true that: 1. To date, the process has been **minimally implemented** (estimated at just over 5% of FTEs, primarily in large companies); 2. The substitution effect can be, and likely will be, offset by demand for **new roles requiring AI system management skills;** 3. The management costs of some AI systems may be **comparable to or higher** than those of a fully human-managed underlying process; 4. **AI still has clear limitations** requiring human experience and cognitive abilities. On a systemic level, the intelligent automation of processes and activities also represents a strategic response to **increasingly significant demographic challenges**. In Italy, the aging population requires innovative solutions to boost productivity and **safeguard the pension system's sustainability.** The productivity boost provided by GenAI (and similar intelligent solutions) could be decisive for shaping the societal balance of the near future. ## Job Augmentation is the solution While fears are legitimate, the hypothesis of complete human replacement by *intelligent systems* is unrealistic—at least for now and on a large scale. The intrinsic limitations of AI systems, such as hallucinations in generative models, difficulties in contextual understanding, and the orchestration of different capabilities, highlight **the need for** **a** **collaborative approach**. Job augmentation thus becomes the true solution: AI serves as a tool that supports workers, **enhancing their abilities and freeing them from low-value tasks**. There are already fascinating use cases: - In industry, so-called cobots work closely with operators, improving precision and efficiency in production lines. - In healthcare, AI supports doctors in interpreting radiological imaging (e.g., genomics), allowing them to dedicate more time to complex cases. - In contact centers, AI-based virtual assistants provide a more efficient and personalized customer experience. These systems automate the handling of common requests, delivering quick and accurate responses. Additionally, by analyzing the emotional tone of conversations, they can route complex queries to the most suitable operators, improving customer satisfaction. Job augmentation is not only a more ethical approach than replacement but also the most advantageous for companies, which simultaneously achieve **increased productivity, improved product and service quality**, **and higher employee satisfaction**—a key driver of productivity. It’s a classic virtuous cycle. However, transitioning toward a collaborative relationship between AI and humans **requires significant cultural and organizational change**. Providing tools is not enough to ensure people adopt and use them daily. Processes must be rethought with collaborative automation in mind, and investments must be made in training and skills development, creating a workplace environment that fosters continuous support from machines for human-managed activities. Only in this way will it be possible to fully exploit the potential of artificial intelligence and **build a more equitable and prosperous future of work.** [Contact us](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/contact)to discover how we can help you turn data into actionable insights, creating AI strategies that transform innovation into measurable business impact. - [Previous post](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/metadata-the-importance-of-a-qualitative-framework?hsLang=en) - [Read all posts](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news?hsLang=en) - [Next post](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/cleafy-kirey-group-a-partnership-against-online-fraud?hsLang=en) ## Related posts: #### [Inference Costs: how to prevent AI agents from dri...](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/inference-costs-how-to-prevent-ai-agents-from-driving-costs-up-exponentially?hsLang=en) Artificial intelligence has an innovative side, but it also comes with a bill to pay. And in recent ... [Read more](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/inference-costs-how-to-prevent-ai-agents-from-driving-costs-up-exponentially?hsLang=en) 18 MIN READ 24 January 2025 #### [Context Engineering, the art and science behind AI...](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/context-engineering-the-art-and-science-behind-ai-agents?hsLang=en) With the spread of LLMs, the discipline of prompt engineering emerged, studying the most effective w... [Read more](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/context-engineering-the-art-and-science-behind-ai-agents?hsLang=en) 12 MIN READ 24 January 2025 #### [Agentic AI Governance: how to effectively manage A...](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/agentic-ai-governance-how-to-effectively-manage-ai-that-can-act?hsLang=en) For years, companies have been asking themselves how to govern AI-generated responses. But what happ... [Read more](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/en/news/agentic-ai-governance-how-to-effectively-manage-ai-that-can-act?hsLang=en) 10 MIN READ 24 January 2025 #### Explore - [Home](https://www.kireygroup.com/) - [Competencies](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/competencies) - [Industries](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/industries) - [About Us](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/about-us) - [Tech&Partners](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/tech-partners) - [Careers](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/careers) - [Contact](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/contact) - [Corporate Social Responsibility](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/corporate-social-responsibility) - [Advisory](https://www.kireyadvisory.com/en) #### Policy - [Quality](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-COMP-AL14-Quality-Policy.pdf) - [Security](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-CIS-LG02-Security-Policy.pdf) - [Gender Equality](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-COMP-LG03-Politica-per-la-parita-di-Genere-v2.pdf) - [Service Management](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-COMP-AL45-Politica-per-la-gestione-dei-servizi.pdf) - [Environment](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-COMP-AL44-Politica-Ambientale-Kirey.pdf) - [Health, Safety & Wellbeing](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PKG-COMP-LG02-Policy-on-health-safety-and-well-being-in-the-work-environment.pdf) - [ESG](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/Policy-ESG-ENG-v1.pdf) - [Info on Data Processing](https://www.kireygroup.com/en/information-on-data-processing) #### Certifications - [ISO 9001:2015](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/KIREY-S-R-L-9001.pdf) - [ISO/IEC 27001:2022](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/KIREY-S-R-L-27001.pdf) - [PDR 125](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/PDR-125-2022.pdf) - [ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/ISOIEC-20000-12018-ENG.pdf) - [ISO 14001:2015](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/ISO-14001-2015-ENG.pdf) - [ISO 45001:2018](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/CERTIFICATO-ISO-45001-KIREY-ENG.pdf) - [ISO 22301:2019](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/ISO-22301-2019-ENG.pdf) #### Info **Kirey Srl** [info@kireygroup.com](mailto:info@kireygroup.com) Viale Francesco Restelli, 5 20124 Milano [kirey@pec.it](mailto:kirey@pec.it) **PI/CF**: 06729880960 **REA**: MI 1910802 **Tel**: +39 02 78625200 Capitale sociale 1.089.620,00  [![Linkedin](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Linkedin.png?width=20&name=Linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kireygroup/)   - [Privacy Policy](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/Kirey-Privacy-ENG-policy-art-13.pdf) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/Kirey-Cookie-Policy-ENG-1.pdf) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.kireygroup.com/oven/media/Kirey-Website-Terms-and-Conditions-1.pdf) [![KIREY LOGO](https://newsroom.kireygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KIREY_LOGO_PAYOFF_RGB_POS.png?width=200&height=72&name=KIREY_LOGO_PAYOFF_RGB_POS.png)](https://www.kireygroup.com/) © Copyright 2026 by Kirey