The ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy aims to be the leading international knowledge hub on the world-of-work dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, serving as a platform for increasing the volume and profile of evidence, analysis and dialogue in these areas.&nbsp; The Observatory is accessible through an online portal, backed by ILO’s expertise and engagement at global, regional and country levels. The portal brings together ILO’s research and policy/regulatory insights across four key areas: AI, algorithmic management, digital labour platforms and workers’ personal data.&nbsp; By providing expert knowledge, including regulatory developments, as well as featuring key speakers/authors and emphasizing communication with ILO constituents and beyond, the Observatory is an enabler of policy and social dialogue on world-of-work dimensions of AI and the digital economy.The virtual launch event for the ILO Observatory on AI will present ILO’s new online portal and its strategy for disseminating the latest, cutting-edge knowledge and engaging with constituents and others in this area. It will also highlight key insights from the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and ILO constituents on the importance of these topics for promoting decent work and social justice in a time of rapid technological change.&nbsp;

Geneva

Launch of the ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, will launch its flagship World Social Protection Report 2024-2026: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition. The event will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. This high-level event will explore the themes and policy recommendations of the World Social Protection Report 2024-26, providing a forum for reflection on key policy messages related to universal social protection and climate action.&nbsp; Interpretation of the livestreaming will be provided in English, French and Spanish.

New York City

Global launch of the World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition

Join us for a captivating journey through the history and transformation of Brazil’s labour inspectorate. Discover how this vital institution has adapted over time to tackle the challenges of labour market non-compliance. Dive into an analysis of Brazil’s unique approach to labour inspection, as we compare it with the established ‘models of inspection’ and explore its distinctive features.Uncover the criteria for prioritizing sectors for inspection, understand the intricate relationship between inspection activities and the complexities of extended supply chains, and learn about the approaches to engage hard-to-reach populations. Drawing on his wealth of practical experience, Thiago Laporte will share innovative strategies in the field of labour inspection.From Theory to Practice Webinars provide a platform for experts to share insights on the practical challenges and successes on labour compliance and enforcement across different jurisdictions. These seminars serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application with the spirit to exchange ideas and learn from peers about this complex field of labour regulation.&nbsp;

Labour market enforcement in Brazil: Reflections, lessons and the way forward

Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic management systems are increasingly used in recruitment, performance evaluation and work discipline. Their use in the world of work has important implications on the quality of existing jobs and working conditions, including on fundamental rights. This talk will address some of these issues and reflect on how collective bargaining and social dialogue can be used to address some of the concerns.

Negotiating the algorithm: Artificial intelligence and algorithmic management at work

This session will discuss the recent study the IMF titled <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379?cid=bl-com-SDNEA2024001">Gen-AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work</a>. The paper suggests that advanced economies should experience the benefits and pitfalls of AI sooner than emerging market and developing economies, largely due to their employment structure focused on cognitive-intensive roles. It also observes some consistent patterns concerning AI exposure, with women and college-educated individuals more exposed but also better poised to reap AI benefits, and older workers potentially less able to adapt to the new technology.&nbsp;The authors suggest that labor income inequality may increase if the complementarity between AI and high-income workers is strong, while capital returns might increase wealth inequality. However, they also observe that if productivity gains are sufficiently large, income levels could surge for most workers. They propose that advanced economies and more developed emerging markets should focus on upgrading regulatory frameworks and supporting labor reallocation, while safeguarding those adversely affected. On the other hand, they suggest that emerging market and developing economies should prioritize developing digital infrastructure and digital skills.The session will consist of the presentation of the paper and a follow up discussion, including questions from the audience. &nbsp;Authors:&nbsp;Mauro Cazzaniga, Florence Jaumotte, Longji Li, Giovanni Melina, Augustus J. Panton, Carlo Pizzinelli, Emma Rockall, and Marina M. TavaresLink to paper: <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379?cid=bl-com-SDNEA2024001">IMF SDN AI</a>

Gen-AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work

This ILO workshop brings together global experts to explore the drivers of inequality and identify crucial policy actions to create fairer societies for all. Economic inequality remains one of the most pressing challenges in modern societies, having far-reaching implications for social cohesion, access to opportunities, and overall well-being.&nbsp;It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and social exclusion, creating barriers to equal opportunities and upward mobility. Therefore, addressing economic inequalities is an essential aspect of pursuing social justice.In September 2023, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched a global communication campaign called “This Way to Social Justice”, aiming at intensifying efforts to address inequalities in the world of work.This workshop aims to further understand the drivers of economic inequality, assess the depth and breadth of inequality across countries and finally identify crucial policy actions to pave the way towards fairer societies for all.&nbsp;

Workshop on Reducing Inequality to Promote Social Justice

In this webinar, moderated by Janine Berg, ILO senior economist and Pawel Gmyrek, ILO senior researcher, Professor Daron Acemoglu presents a range of future scenarios of how AI might reshape the work landscape by 2030.This webinar is part of the <a href="https://aiforgood.itu.int/event/daron-acemoglu-can-we-have-pro-worker-ai/">ITU's AI for Good Initiative</a>. The goal of AI for Good is to identify practical applications of AI to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and scale those solutions for global impact. It is the leading action-oriented, global, and inclusive United Nations platform on AI. AI for Good is organized by ITU in partnership with 40 UN Sister Agencies and co-convened with Switzerland.&nbsp;

Can we have pro-worker AI?

The Forum gathers over 250 partners of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, during the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Open to Coalition partners and ILO accredited tripartite delegations to the ILC. The programme of the Inaugural Forum is structured as a continuation of the ongoing collaborative effort initiated by partners on the thematic development of the Coalition. The plenary session highlights specific actions taken by partners to promote social justice, in alignment with the Coalition's thematic areas. It features three thematic dialogues on:<ul><li>Building the resilience of societies</li><li>Improving the coherence between economic and social policies&nbsp;</li><li>Fostering social dialogue for shared prosperity</li></ul>Interpretation will be provided in English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese and international sign language.

Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice

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Media personalities speak out on the need for social justice 

Join the Global Coalition for Social Justice

ILC 2024: General Discussion on Decent Work and the Care Economy

This way to social justice

Why gender equality is central to advancing social justice

Navigating the Maritime Labour Convention: Past, Present, and Future

International Labour Conference Highlights

What social justice means to me

Key findings on climate change and occupational safety and health

What social justice means to young people

This event is organized as part of ITU's <a href="https://aiforgood.itu.int/event/ai-job-quality-and-worker-voice-conditions-for-mutual-gains-in-the-digital-economy/">AI for Good Series</a>. Digital and AI-based technologies provide new tools to reorganize work and manage workers. These can be used in different ways: to automate and deskill jobs or augment worker skills; and to intensify monitoring and discipline or improve training and scheduling. In this talk, Professor Doellgast asks under what conditions these technologies generate mutual gains for employers, workers, and the broader public – drawing on findings from research in the North American and European telecom, IT, and call center industries. She discusses challenges to realizing these benefits, as well as opportunities for management and policy choices that support more socially sustainable AI strategies.&nbsp; &nbsp;This talk is based on: Doellgast, V. (2023). Can democracy at work deliver mutual gains in the digital economy? Studi organizzativi: XXV, 2, 2023, 213-229. – and Doellgast, V., Wagner, I., &amp; O’Brady, S. (2023). Negotiating limits on algorithmic management in digitalised services: cases from Germany and Norway. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 29(1), 105-120.&nbsp;This live event includes a 30-minute networking event hosted on the AI for Good Neural Network. This is your opportunity to ask questions, interact with the panelists and participants and build connections with the AI for Good community.

AI, job quality, and worker voice: Conditions for mutual gains in the digital economy

On International Coffee Day 2024, join us in celebrating the individuals behind your daily cup of coffee and support efforts to promote decent work in the coffee supply chain. This documentary features interviews with coffee growers from Brazil, Uganda, and Vietnam, and insights from key organizations like the ILO, the International Coffee Organization, and European Commission. Produced by the ILO Vision Zero Fund and ITCILO as part of the #CoffeePeople campaign, and co-funded by the European Union.

Documentary - “From Beans to Brew: A Journey into the Lives of Coffee Workers”

The Latin America Conference of the ILO Global Business and Disability Network is convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a side event to the Third OECD Ministerial Summit on Social Inclusion. The general objective of the conference is to discuss how companies can be supported to promote and improve the employment of people with disabilities in Latin America.

24-hour programming from the ILO