The Risk of Automation for Jobs in OECD Countries: A Comparative Analysis Melanie Arntz, Terry Gregory, Ulrich Zierahn This paper examines the risk of automation for jobs in 21 OECD countries using a task-based approach, which considers the variety of tasks within occupations. The study finds that, on average, 9% of jobs in OECD countries are automatable, which is significantly lower than the 47% estimated by Frey and Osborne (2013) using an occupation-based approach. The paper highlights that the risk of automation varies across countries, with Austria having a higher share of automatable jobs (12%) compared to Korea (6%). The differences may be due to variations in workplace organization, previous investments in automation technologies, and worker education levels. The paper also discusses the potential for technological advances to create new jobs and the importance of retraining for low-qualified workers. It argues that the estimated share of "jobs at risk" should not be equated with actual or expected employment losses, as technological substitution is often slow due to economic, legal, and societal barriers. Workers can adapt to technological changes by switching tasks, and technological advancements can generate new jobs through increased competitiveness and demand for new technologies. The study concludes that automation and digitalization are unlikely to destroy large numbers of jobs, but low-qualified workers may bear the brunt of adjustment costs. The main challenge for the future lies in managing rising inequality and ensuring sufficient retraining for low-qualified workers. The paper provides a comprehensive discussion on the potential adjustment processes of firms and workers to automation and digitalization, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with technological change.The Risk of Automation for Jobs in OECD Countries: A Comparative Analysis Melanie Arntz, Terry Gregory, Ulrich Zierahn This paper examines the risk of automation for jobs in 21 OECD countries using a task-based approach, which considers the variety of tasks within occupations. The study finds that, on average, 9% of jobs in OECD countries are automatable, which is significantly lower than the 47% estimated by Frey and Osborne (2013) using an occupation-based approach. The paper highlights that the risk of automation varies across countries, with Austria having a higher share of automatable jobs (12%) compared to Korea (6%). The differences may be due to variations in workplace organization, previous investments in automation technologies, and worker education levels. The paper also discusses the potential for technological advances to create new jobs and the importance of retraining for low-qualified workers. It argues that the estimated share of "jobs at risk" should not be equated with actual or expected employment losses, as technological substitution is often slow due to economic, legal, and societal barriers. Workers can adapt to technological changes by switching tasks, and technological advancements can generate new jobs through increased competitiveness and demand for new technologies. The study concludes that automation and digitalization are unlikely to destroy large numbers of jobs, but low-qualified workers may bear the brunt of adjustment costs. The main challenge for the future lies in managing rising inequality and ensuring sufficient retraining for low-qualified workers. The paper provides a comprehensive discussion on the potential adjustment processes of firms and workers to automation and digitalization, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with technological change.