The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in collaboration with Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK), has released a groundbreaking report, “Generative AI and Jobs: A Global Perspective on Risks and Opportunities,” which explores the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on the future of work. The report emphasizes that while GenAI holds transformative potential, ensuring its benefits are widely shared and inequalities are not exacerbated requires proactive policies and worker protections. It offers a novel framework and tools to help governments, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, navigate the complexities of the AI-driven transition and build a more equitable digital future. This marks the first in a series of reports aimed at providing long-term perspectives on GenAI’s influence on employment, going beyond the immediate concerns of job displacement and automation.
The report acknowledges the disruptive power of GenAI, particularly its capacity to automate tasks requiring high cognitive skills. However, it stresses that this disruption isn’t inherently negative. With appropriate public policies, targeted training initiatives, and robust social safeguards, GenAI can be harnessed to drive productivity gains, create new job opportunities, and ultimately enhance the well-being of workers. This optimistic outlook hinges on a proactive approach, recognizing that simply allowing the technology to develop unchecked could exacerbate existing inequalities and widen the digital divide, both between and within countries. The ILO emphasizes the need to shape the development and deployment of GenAI responsibly, ensuring its benefits are broadly distributed and its risks mitigated.
A core element of the report is the introduction of a customizable “exposure index,” a tool designed to assist governments in identifying sectors and occupations most vulnerable to disruption from GenAI. This index enables comparative risk assessment across different areas of the economy, facilitating evidence-based policymaking and the prioritization of strategic interventions. By understanding where the most significant impacts are likely to occur, governments can develop tailored programs to support workers in transitioning to new roles, acquiring necessary skills, and adapting to the changing demands of the labour market. The report underscores the importance of aligning technological innovation with social protection measures, ensuring that advancements in AI contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
The study also highlights the unique challenges faced by emerging economies in navigating the AI revolution. These nations often grapple with less developed digital infrastructure, limited institutional capacity, and fewer resources to mitigate the social and economic consequences of technological disruption. However, the report also suggests that these same economies have the potential to “leapfrog” stages of development, leveraging AI to accelerate progress. This leapfrogging potential can be realized through the implementation of robust policy frameworks, strategic investments in digital infrastructure and skills development, and enhanced global cooperation to share best practices and resources.
Addressing the potential for widening inequalities, the ILO emphasizes the need for timely action. Without proactive measures to manage the transition, the digital divide could deepen, leaving many workers behind. This disparity is not only a concern within countries but also between them, potentially exacerbating existing global inequalities. The ILO advocates for a global approach to address these challenges, recognizing that international cooperation is essential to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably and that its risks are managed effectively. The report serves as a call to action, urging governments, labour organizations, and employers to work together to shape a future of work where technology serves humanity and promotes social justice.
The ILO-NASK initiative, through this report and the upcoming publications in the series, aims to provide policymakers, labour leaders, and employers with practical guidance and tools to respond effectively to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Future reports will delve deeper into national-level strategies and offer technical blueprints for inclusive digital transformation. This ongoing research and analysis will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term implications of GenAI on employment and provide a roadmap for navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology. The goal is to ensure that the future of work is one where technological progress is harnessed to create a more just, equitable, and prosperous world for all.
