ILO Director-General: Social Dialogue is Key to Safe AI Transition

 During a dialogue session on the second day of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo outlined the organization’s vision for governing the transition to artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. He highlighted the critical themes of inclusivity, varying levels of exposure, and the need to invest in skills and social dialogue.
 Houngbo stressed the need for inclusive policies that account for the differing readiness levels among nations. He expressed concern about the widening technological gap between high- and low-income countries, as well as regional disparities within nations, warning that these divides could deepen existing labor-market inequalities.
 The director-general emphasized that AI should not be viewed solely through a lens of risk. He pointed to its potential to foster inclusion, citing tools such as speech-to-text technologies that enable greater labor market participation for people with disabilities. He noted that the ILO is receiving an increasing number of requests from member states for guidance on utilizing AI to support poverty reduction and train young entrants to the workforce.
 Houngbo underscored the importance of policy flexibility, integration, and sustained investment in technological infrastructure to ensure no country is left behind in the digital transformation.
 Concluding the session, he said AI can contribute to improving work-life balance and called on all stakeholders to focus on maximizing these benefits for workers and workplaces alike.