Nearly 80 million ASEAN workers exposed to GenAI, but only 3.3% face highest risk: ILO

Nearly one in four workers across ASEAN are employed in occupations with potential exposure to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), although only a small proportion are in roles facing the highest level of disruption, according to Human Resources Online, citing a report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report, Generative AI and labour markets in ASEAN: Significant exposure, limited disruption, uneven preparedness, found that 22.9% of total employment in ASEAN, equivalent to nearly 80 million workers, is in occupations with more than minimal potential exposure to GenAI. 

However, only 3.3% of the region's workforce, or around 11.7 million workers, falls into the highest exposure category, Human Resources Online reported.

Most jobs remain unaffected

According to the ILO, around 67% of employment across ASEAN remains in occupations with no identified exposure to GenAI. 

While the technology has the potential to influence a significant share of workers, the occupations most susceptible to automation still account for a relatively small portion of the labour market.

The report noted that exposure should not be interpreted as immediate disruption, as the pace and extent of workplace change will depend largely on how organisations adopt and integrate AI technologies into their operations.

Singapore leads region

Among the nine ASEAN countries analysed, Singapore recorded the highest share of workers with more than minimal GenAI exposure at 42.2% of total employment, well above the regional average.

The report attributed this to the country's knowledge-intensive workforce, where professionals, managers, executives and technicians account for around 64% of employed residents, many of whom work in financial services, information and communications, and professional services.

The Philippines ranked second with 28.1%, reflecting its service-oriented economy and sizeable information technology and business process management sector. Indonesia followed at 21.7%, while Vietnam and Thailand recorded exposure levels of 20.8% and 20.6%, respectively.

Employment remains resilient

Despite growing AI adoption, the ILO found little evidence of widespread employment declines in GenAI-exposed occupations. Employment in occupations with at least minimal exposure increased from around 66 million workers in 2017 to 74 million in 2022 and reached approximately 80 million in 2025.

The organisation cautioned that this growth should not be attributed solely to GenAI. Instead, it reflects broader structural trends across ASEAN economies, including digitalisation, expanding service industries, rising demand for knowledge-based work and overall labour force growth.

The report also observed that many AI-exposed occupations continue to rely heavily on human judgement, communication and interpersonal skills, suggesting GenAI is more likely to augment work than replace it in the near term.

Policy will shape outcomes

To help countries manage the transition, the ILO identified five priorities: strengthening human-centred AI governance, developing inclusive labour market policies, supporting enterprise adoption, investing in digital infrastructure and workforce skills, and deepening regional cooperation.

Christian Viegelahn, ILO economist and lead author of the report, said, “Productivity gains depend on investments in human capital and social protection.”

“Ultimately, future labour market outcomes will depend less on exposure alone than on the policy choices to build the preparedness and resilience of workers, enterprises and institutions.”

The findings come ahead of on 16 July and underscore that while GenAI is expected to reshape work across Southeast Asia, its long-term impact will depend on how governments, employers and workers prepare for an increasingly AI-enabled economy.