Bhavani Nair

Unequal Access to AI Training and Labor Market Inequality in Chicago

Started Dec. 23, 2025

Abstract or project description

Bhavani’s project examines how unequal access to AI-related training affects labor market outcomes and household-level inequality among workers in similar occupations in Chicago. As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes the skills employers value, workers with access to relevant training may experience higher wages and greater job stability, while others face limited opportunities for advancement. This project uses Chicago as a case study because of its diverse labor market, wide range of skill levels across industries, and variation across neighborhoods in income, employment, and access to training opportunities. The analysis will classify occupations into skill categories based on education and job requirements and compare wage and employment outcomes across workers with differing exposure to AI-related training. By linking labor market outcomes to households’ ability to invest in education, healthcare, and savings, the project aims to shed light on how technological change can reinforce or widen existing patterns of inequality.