7.6% of North Dakota Workers Face AI Job Displacement Risk, Among Lowest in U.S.

North Dakota's Standing in AI Displacement

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries globally, states like North Dakota are facing relatively lower job displacement risks. According to data compiled by (un)Common Logic, 7.6% of workers in North Dakota are at risk of job displacement due to AI, which ranks as the sixth lowest in the United States. With 31,671 workers potentially impacted, North Dakota's job market displays resilience amid the AI revolution. Understanding the nuances of this transformation can provide insight for job seekers, employees, and policymakers.

Recent developments in artificial intelligence have sparked concern about the potential for widespread job loss. Historically, as technology has advanced, certain jobs have become obsolete. However, today's AI developments, particularly generative AI, have introduced new challenges. Products like ChatGPT have highlighted the capabilities of AI, moving us from the realm of speculation into real-life implications for various professions.

The Broader Impact of AI on Workers

The Stanford University 2024 Artificial Intelligence Index Report notes a dramatic surge in AI patent filings—from 3,500 in 2010 to over 190,000 in 2022. Occupations that once seemed relatively secure are now becoming vulnerable to automation. Notably, about 9% of U.S. workers are categorized as having high exposure to AI and simultaneously facing high risks of job automation.

These figures can be concerning, particularly for workers in high-income occupations. Traditionally, lower-income positions faced the brunt of automation; however, AI's reach is now extending into sectors previously thought secure. For example, accountants, loan officers, and paralegals are considered at risk due to their roles being conducive to automation

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national averages for job displacement reveal staggering numbers: 8.9% of the workforce, around 13.47 million individuals, are at risk of losing their jobs to AI-related automation. These figures are amplified in better-paying sectors, which historically weren’t as susceptible to technological disruption.

Location-Based Displacement Risks

Geographical differences also play a crucial role in AI job displacement trends. In states like South Dakota, Kansas, and Florida, more than 10% of workers are vulnerable, with these states exhibiting high concentrations of knowledge-sector jobs. Meanwhile, in states with agriculture-heavy economies like Indiana and Nevada, the risk of AI job loss is relatively lower, although traditional automation could still affect nearly half of the workforce there.

Interestingly, among major metropolitan areas, cities such as Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville face significant risks due to their workforce composition being heavy in industries threatened by AI. In contrast, areas like San Jose reflect lower risks due to their stronger technology sectors, which adapt more quickly to changes.

For North Dakota specifically, the median annual wage for workers at risk is around $48,830, just above the national median of $48,060, suggesting a workforce that, while at risk of AI-related automation, may retain decent economic stability in its operations beyond traditional job roles.

Breaking Down the Risk

To contextualize North Dakota's employment risk, here are some key statistics:

• 7.6% of workers in North Dakota facing AI-related automation.
• Roughly 48.5% might be impacted by any form of computerized automation.
• In total, this equates to approximately 202,342 workers at risk of becoming automated out of their jobs.

By contrast, the overall national figures present an alarming landscape with an estimated 66.7 million workers at risk of some form of job automation. The step forward lies in addressing skill gaps and investing in re-skilling initiatives to ensure the workforce can keep up.