Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape and change the way we work today, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Gilbert Houngbo sees AI as more of an opportunity rather than a threat to employment despite studies showing that hundreds of millions of workers could be displaced in the next few years due to AI.
“We are not seeing Artificial Intelligence as a threat, if any, the threat will come from lack of new skill. This is what I’m insisting on lifelong learning. Each country will have to revisit its policies, especially on the whole of education policy,” Houngbo told CNN Philippines in an exclusive interview.
The ILO chief said it is important to equip workers with the right knowledge and education in order to meet the demands of changing times.
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“Globally, I’m not worried that AI will make people unemployed if we are well prepared and if we have training and reskilling programs we should benefit from it,” the ILO chief said.
“It’s critical for us to invest in the skills, develop the skills, not only the productivity but the whole total productivity that we can benefit from,” he added.
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The Department of Information and Communications Technology said it is studying requests to regulate the use of AI in the workplace.
Sen. Imee Marcos has called for an inquiry on the use of AI, claiming it may pose a threat to the business process outsourcing and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) industries.
