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Artificial intelligence gains must be shared equitably with workers, according to the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO). Gilbert Houngbo, the head of the ILO, emphasized that AI is rapidly transforming the world of work, altering how value is created and decisions are made.

"Workers everywhere must be able to share the productivity gains generated by AI," Houngbo stated at the annual International Labour Conference. He stressed that these gains should be distributed fairly through improved wages, stronger labor protections, and more inclusive economic growth. This call for equitable distribution comes as prominent figures in the AI industry are stepping back from dire predictions of mass unemployment, even as the technology faces increasing public scrutiny over its potential workplace impacts.

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Workers everywhere must be able to share the productivity gains generated by AI. Those gains must be distributed fairly through better wages, stronger labour protections, and more inclusive growth.

While the AI sector is experiencing a boom, most economic institutions report that AI has had minimal effects on employment to date. Houngbo concluded that the future of work will be shaped not solely by technological advancements, but by the policies, institutions, and social dialogue that govern their implementation. The ILO aims to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared, preventing a widening gap between those who profit from the technology and those whose jobs are affected by it.

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future of work will not be determined by technology alone, but by the policies, institutions and social dialogue that guide it.