Jennifer Maffei, a recruiter specializing in administrative staffing, is witnessing significant disruptions as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly displaces clerical roles. She describes the situation as chaotic, with many workers from large companies suddenly finding themselves “downsized, right sized, restructured” as firms invest in AI technologies to automate routine tasks. This shift is part of a broader trend affecting approximately six million U.S. workers, primarily in clerical and administrative positions, who are among the most susceptible to AI-driven job displacement, according to research by the Brookings Institution.

The majority—over 85 percent—of these workers are women, often older with limited savings and narrow skill sets, performing work highly vulnerable to automation. This dynamic raises concerns about the widening gender gap in the labor market. Laura Ullrich, research director at job site Indeed, notes many female-dominated professions exhibit low adaptability to AI, risking a reversal in gender equality gains. She highlights early signs of this trend as firms continue to cut back-office roles amid AI adoption.

Several large companies have announced mass layoffs in administrative support functions over the past year. Shipping giant Maersk, for instance, cut 1,000 administrative jobs worldwide, while other firms including Procter & Gamble and Amazon have reduced corporate support roles. AI-driven tools such as Anthropic’s Claude Cowork and specialized software like Lindy increasingly perform tasks like scheduling, note-taking, and document preparation more cost-effectively than human assistants.

For workers like Kelly Norton, a former Las Vegas executive assistant, the impact has been personal. Once earning a six-figure salary, she now faces a saturated job market, applying to numerous roles with many offering significantly lower pay. Leveraging AI herself, Norton created an online community of 500 executive assistants to share strategies for enhancing their skills and staying competitive. She uses AI tools to organize urgent tasks and streamline communication, demonstrating how some administrative professionals are adapting by integrating technology into their workflows.

Data from Indeed indicate that job postings for administrative assistants have declined by 5.4 percent compared with pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the U.S. gender pay gap has widened over the last two years, and labor participation growth among men outpaces that of women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 2023 International Labour Organization study further found that women face nearly a threefold greater risk than men of AI-driven task automation in higher-income countries, often with fewer opportunities for reskilling.

Women’s lower adoption of AI tools may exacerbate these disparities. A Harvard study reported women use AI at a rate 25 percent below men, a finding supported by other workplace surveys warning that AI’s advantages may skew along gender and income lines.

Experts stress that jobs resistant to automation tend to involve diverse, less routine responsibilities. However, clerical work, particularly at junior levels, often focuses on supporting singular tasks, limiting resilience. Kylie Rodriguez, who transitioned from executive assistant to chief of staff roles, observes that digital scheduling tools are poised to replace many lower-level administrative positions over time.

Historical labor market patterns also influence current vulnerabilities. Assistant professor Allison Elias at the Darden School of Business notes that longstanding gender norms shaped women’s access to administrative roles, often limiting career progression and financial security compared to men in similar fields.

Despite these challenges, some administrative workers remain optimistic. Linnae Dosumu-Johnson, chief executive’s assistant at virtual assistant provider AES, emphasizes the irreplaceable human skills required for high-stakes administrative tasks, including project management and nuanced communication. She acknowledges AI’s utility in handling repetitive duties but underscores the limitations of technology in managing complex, sensitive situations that demand judgment and discretion.

For workers displaced by AI, Maffei advises embracing a “multi-stage leap” to develop new competencies and diversify career options. Some clients have transitioned into fields like project management or human resources, while others re-enter former sectors in different capacities, such as legal assistants becoming paralegals. She encourages displaced workers to concentrate on roles that inherently require human judgment and adaptability—qualities AI has yet to replicate.