Arab Labour Organization: AI forces governments and social partners to keep pace with labor market changes
Seminar in Algeria on digitalization and economic integration with the participation of the Arab Labour Organization
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Algiers, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- The Secretary-General of the Arab Labour Organization, Fayez Al-Mutairi, said on Wednesday that artificial intelligence is emerging as a more influential force in the nature of occupations, jobs, and required skills, thereby compelling governments and social partners to keep pace with labor market changes. This was stated in a speech delivered by Al-Mutairi during his participation in a seminar organized by the Algerian Economic, Social and Environmental Council on “Digitalization as a Tool for Integration and Arab Member States’ Integration with the Global Economy.”
Al-Mutairi noted that “the transformations the world is witnessing due to the digital revolution and the acceleration of technological innovation have reshaped patterns of production, work, trade, services, education, and training, and have redefined the foundations of the global economy, making digital knowledge, capabilities, and innovation the primary drivers of growth and competitiveness.”
For his part, the Algerian Economic, Social and Environmental Council stated in a press release that the seminar addressed the importance of accelerating digital transformation and turning it into a lever for sustainable development. The event was attended by Al-Mutairi, Muhammad Boukhari, President of the Union of Arab Economic and Social Councils, as well as presidents and representatives of Arab and African economic and social councils.
The release quoted Boukhari as saying during the seminar, held in Algiers, that “economic integration is no longer measured solely by the volume of trade exchanges, but also by countries’ ability to remove barriers hindering digital flows, facilitate trade and services, link payment systems, enhance the interoperability of platforms, and enable the secure and reliable exchange of data.”
Boukhari added that connectivity, data processing capabilities, innovation, and rapid access to markets have become elements that determine the position of countries and institutions in the global economy, emphasizing that “digitalization can impart a new dimension to Arab economic integration through the interconnectivity of Arab economies.”
He clarified that artificial intelligence, data analytics, e-commerce, and financial technology would reshape productivity, open up new economic activities, and change the nature of jobs.
Boukhari pointed out that the Arab region has established common frameworks and initiatives for digital transformation, including the “Arab Digital Economy Vision” and the “Arab Digital Agenda,” highlighting the importance of moving from developing visions and frameworks to considering how to translate digital interconnectivity into shared economic value. (End) M.R. / F.L.A.
