How will the release of generative AI tools affect freelance jobs that require different skills or software?
Research from Ozge Demirci
Ozge Demirci
, along with colleagues Jonas Hannane from the German Institute for Economic Research and Xinrong Zhu from Imperial College Business School, examines the impact of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and image-generating tools on online freelancing platforms. It focuses on how these AI innovations influence the demand for various types of freelance jobs.
Using data from a major global freelancing platform, the study analyzes job posts to observe trends following the introduction of AI tools. It finds a significant decrease in job posts for tasks that AI can automate, like writing and software development, and for image-related jobs after the introduction of AI image generators. The research uses Google Search Volume Index and AI Occupational Exposure Index to support these findings, showing how AI technologies can substitute certain freelance jobs.
This study highlights the transformative impact of generative AI on the online labor market. It reveals the varying effects on different job types, suggesting a shift in demand away from tasks where AI can serve as an effective alternative. This research underscores the importance of understanding and adapting to the evolving dynamics of AI in the freelance job market.