As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, investing in education and reskilling is critical to ensuring that workers benefit rather than suffer from technological advancements.
This was the consensus among experts who participated in the latest International Labour Organisation webinar in the AI For Good Series, titled ‘What Will AI Do to Our Work?’
The keynote speaker, the Executive Director of Boston University’s Technology and Policy Research Initiatives, James Bessen, challenged widespread fears that AI will cause mass unemployment. Instead, he argued that AI has the potential to improve job quality, create new opportunities, and elevate the value of human-centric skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
“Automation is going to happen more positively when workers are provided with the skills and capabilities to make the most of it,” Bessen stated.
He emphasised the need to rethink traditional education systems focusing solely on early-life learning, suggesting a shift toward lifelong learning and continuous skill development.
“We have to change how our educational institutions work to develop lifelong learning. We need to create avenues for workers to develop new skills while integrating emerging technologies into their roles. Additionally, institutions must ensure that acquiring these new skills translates into higher wages and better career opportunities,” he added.
The discussion, moderated by ILO senior researcher Pawel Gmyrek as part of the AI for Good initiative, explored AI’s evolving impact on the workforce.
Rather than simply replacing jobs, AI will transform tasks within existing roles, enabling workers to focus on higher-value activities that require creativity and human judgement. As automation takes over routine tasks, skills like problem-solving, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and communication will become increasingly essential.
It noted that historically, technological revolutions have caused short-term job disruptions but ultimately led to long-term employment growth and economic progress.
AI is expected to follow a similar path, reshaping industries while creating new opportunities for workers in the evolving job market.
Bessen also pointed out potential risks associated with AI adoption, including increased workplace surveillance, privacy concerns, and the potential misuse of automation by employers. However, he insisted that successful AI integration depends on collaboration between employers and workers rather than imposing technology without worker input.
“The best AI implementations do not antagonise workers—they involve them,” he noted.
The ILO’s Observatory on Artificial Intelligence and Work in the Digital Economy serves as a leading international knowledge hub on AI’s impact on labour markets. It supports governments and social partners in navigating digital transformation through upskilling programmes, regulatory frameworks, and AI governance strategies aimed at sustainable development.
With AI evolving at an unprecedented pace, experts agree that proactive investment in education and workforce reskilling will be crucial to unlocking better, higher-paying jobs and ensuring that AI benefits all workers in the modern economy.
