Artificial intelligence is transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses, and policy-makers. On 3 February, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a joint high-level conference entitled ‘Social Justice in the Digital Era: AI’s impact on work and society’.

The high-level conference saw prominent leaders – including several EU labour ministers – deliberate on strategies to harness AI’s potential while addressing the risks it poses to workers’ rights and labour markets. This event marked a major contribution to the Global Coalition for Social Justice, highlighting the need for a coordinated approach to AI governance at both European and global level. This joint high-level conference was jointly organised by the EESC's Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) and the ILO.

A call for ethical and inclusive AI development

Opening the conference, EESC President Oliver Röpke underscored the urgent need for a human-centric approach to AI, stating that: ‘Artificial intelligence is already reshaping our societies and labour markets, bringing both opportunities and challenges. The EESC and its partner organisations are committed to ensuring that AI serves as a force for social justice, strengthening workers’ rights, promoting inclusion, and preventing new inequalities. A fair and human-centric AI future requires collective action – from policy-makers to the social partners and civil society – to ensure that technology works for people and not against them.’

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasised the importance of proactive policies to mitigate AI’s disruptive impact on jobs and workplaces: ‘We have to ensure that we shape AI in ways that advance social justice. This means several actions: supporting workers, including with skills and social protection; facilitating access by enterprises of all sizes and in all parts of the world to AI technology to harness productivity benefits; and ensuring that AI’s integration into the workplace protects workers’ rights and promotes social dialogue in the digital transition.’

Over the course of two panels, high-level speakers shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities they perceive in leveraging AI to promote decent work and inclusive labour markets and contribute to gender equality in the years to come. Panellists included EU labour ministers Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk (Poland), Yolanda Díaz (Spain) and Níki Keraméos (Greece) and Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho (Portugal), as well as the delegate of the French Government to the ILO and to the G7-G20, Anousheh Karvar (among others).

The discussions held highlighted the fact that, although there is a risk associated with the rollout of AI, there is no need to be luddites in the face of this new technology. It is essential, however, to focus on social dialogue and include workers in the deployment of AI, while paying particular attention to re-skilling and up-skilling efforts. Proper, controlled rollout and regulation of AI will help avoid major shocks and enable this technology to reduce repetitive tasks without necessarily leading to large-scale layoffs.(lm)