Launch of the European Employment and Social Outlook (EESO) 2026
Location
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Rue Belliard 99/101
Brussels
Belgium
Jointly organised by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), this conference will be an opportunity to discuss key insights from the European Employment and Social Outlook (EESO) 2026 – the flagship report from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion’s (DG EMPL).
The conference will feature high-level speakers from EU institutions and research institutes. Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Roxana Mînzatu, and the President of the EESC's Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, Ms. Cinzia Del Rio, will open the event.
This paper examines the labour-market implications of artificial intelligence (AI) focusing on employment, distribution, and economic governance within the European Union. It presents the reader with the complicated literature around automation technologies, and their impacts on labour. Arguing that AI represents a qualitatively new phase of automation but continues to demonstrate similar trends to previous waves, only this time targeting routine cognitive and white-collar jobs.
This study examines how social partners and civil society organisations in six Member States — Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and Sweden — view the effectiveness of current policies in raising employment levels and increasing adult participation in training. It also puts forward recommendations for improving policy outcomes.
The event is part of the Posting 360 programme and the European Labour Authority (ELA)-led workstream on posting of third country nationals (TCNs). As a follow-up to the 2023-24 workshops on posting, the ELA is launching the ELA Report on contracting chains and recruitment of TCNs in the EU, alongside a discussion on safeguards for posted TCN workers and the role of social partners and civil society in supporting them.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses and policymakers. 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’, gathering over 300 experts, policymakers and social partners and civil society representatives to discuss how AI can contribute to inclusive labour markets, decent work and social justice.
