A photo taken on Nov 23, 2023 shows the logo of the ChatGPT application developed by US artificial intelligence research organization OpenAI on a smartphone screen (left) and the letters AI on a laptop screen in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. (PHOTO / AFP)

FRANKFURT — The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence could reduce wages, but so far is creating, not destroying jobs, especially for the young and highly-skilled, research published by the European Central Bank showed on Tuesday.

Firms have invested heavily in artificial intelligence, or AI, leaving economists striving to understand the impact on the labour market and driving fears among the wider public for the future of their jobs.

The employment share of sectors exposed to AI increased, with low and medium-skill jobs largely unaffected and highly-skilled positions getting the biggest boost

At the same time, employers are struggling to find qualified workers, despite a recession that would normally ease labour market pressures.

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In a sample of 16 European countries, the employment share of sectors exposed to AI increased, with low and medium-skill jobs largely unaffected and highly-skilled positions getting the biggest boost, a Research Bulletin published by the ECB said.

But it also cited "neutral to slightly negative impacts" on earnings and said that could increase.

"These results do not amount to an acquittal," the paper said. "AI-enabled technologies continue to be developed and adopted. Most of their impact on employment and wages – and therefore on growth and equality – has yet to be seen."

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The findings were in contrast to previous "technology waves," it said, when computerization decreased "the relative share of employment of medium-skilled workers, resulting in "polarization".