Argentina has emerged as the Latin American country with the highest occupational exposure to generative AI (GenAI), according to a recent study by the Economic and Social Council of Buenos Aires City (CESBA). The research, based on International Labor Organization (ILO) data, places Argentina at an exposure level of 0.292 on a scale of 0 to 1. This figure surpasses regional neighbors like Chile (0.279), Brazil (0.276), and Mexico (0.261), though it remains below the United States (0.332) and Canada (0.322).

Urbanization and Service Sector Concentration

CESBA President Manuel Socias attributes this high exposure to Argentina’s extreme urbanization rate, with 97% of the population living in cities. Consequently, 78% of jobs are located in the service sector, the economic branch most susceptible to GenAI disruption. The study highlights that Buenos Aires City itself has an even higher exposure level of 0.353, comparable to Singapore (0.366). Socias acknowledged that if compared with New York or London, the city would likely rank lower. This concentration is driven by the city’s heavy reliance on professional services and its highly educated workforce, which aligns with tasks GenAI excels at, such as writing, synthesizing, analyzing, or programming.

The Shift from Coding to Orchestration

Within the tech industry, the impact is already visible. A national survey cited in the report found that 85% of software and IT companies in Argentina already use at least one AI technology. Leandro Mora AlfonsΓ­n, executive director of Argencon, noted that the traditional programmer role is evolving from manual coding to the orchestration and supervision of AI agents. While major firms like JP Morgan, EY, and Accenture are expanding their workforce, the CESBA report warns that companies adopting AI globally are systematically reducing the proportion of junior employees. In countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany, India, Japan, and Brazil, the share of junior workers declines sustainedly after AI adoption.

Building a Roadmap for Labor Adaptation

The study emphasizes that the challenge lies in managing this transition without falling into techno-optimism or apocalyptic fears. Socias advocates for a three-stage plan to bridge the gap between companies and unions. The first stage, completed, assessed exposure levels. The second stage involves in-depth interviews with business associations and unions to gauge actual adoption. The third stage aims to create consensus and recommendations for policy. With knowledge-based services now Argentina’s third-largest export sector, generating $10 billion annually, the need to redefine entry-level roles is urgent. Leonardo Tocci of Baufest suggests that while demand for young talent remains, the type of work they do is changing, requiring new ways to develop skills in supervision and judgment.

Key Takeaways

  • Argentina has the highest GenAI occupational exposure in Latin America at 0.292, driven by 97% urbanization and a service-heavy economy.
  • 85% of Argentine software and IT companies already utilize AI technologies, shifting developer roles toward AI orchestration.
  • Global data indicates that AI adoption correlates with a sustained decline in the proportion of junior-level employees.
  • CESBA is launching a multi-stage dialogue with unions and businesses to create a roadmap for integrating AI without displacing workers.

The Bottom Line

Argentina's high AI exposure isn't a bug; it's a feature of its urbanized, service-driven economy. The real test isn't preventing job loss, but actively reshaping entry-level pathways before the tech inertia leaves junior developers behind.