An IMF economist presented job-posting data at the 2026 IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok. Demand for tasks AI does well (such as coding) fell about 10% versus tasks that are harder to hand to AI, like supplier relationship management. Employers are seeking staff who can use AI, and demand for AI skills in coding roles is about twice that of other occupations. The researchers found no evidence that AI is pushing wages down. For a small business, the practical signal is to train existing staff to use AI tools in their daily work rather than assume AI will replace them, and to expect hiring to favour people with these skills. Asia's developing economies also need about 150 million new jobs within 10 years.
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