The development of artificial intelligence (AI) will have consequences for 40% jobs around the world, especially in advanced economies, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Sunday.

"Worldwide, 40% of jobs will be affected. And more will be the case the more skilled the job. So, for advanced economies and some emerging countries, 60% of jobs will be affected," said Kristalina Georgieva.

In an interview with the France-Presse news agency (AFP), she clarified that the impacts mentioned are not necessarily negative, as they can also result in an "increase in income".

The figures come from a report released by the IMF ahead of the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, which began on Sunday in the Swiss Alpine resort.

The document warns that AI could exacerbate wage inequalities, harming the middle class in particular, while workers with already high incomes could see their wages "increase by more than the proportion" of productivity gains from this technology.

"There is bound to be an impact," said Georgieva, noting that AI could kill some jobs and improve others. She argued that the priority should be to help the workers affected and "share the productivity gains".

According to the report, Singapore, the United States and Canada are the countries that are best prepared so far for the integration of AI.

"We need to focus on the lower-income countries," said the IMF managing director, who expressed concern about the risk of school drop-outs in the poorest countries.

"We must act quickly, allowing them to take advantage of the opportunities offered by AI. The real question will be to put aside fears about AI and focus on how to get the best benefit for everyone," Georgieva insisted.

Especially since, in a context of slowing global growth, elements capable of increasing productivity are "desperately" needed, she said

"AI can be scary, but it can also be a great opportunity for everyone," Georgieva concluded.