site.btaUnion Leaders Discuss European Social Dialogue in AI Era at Sofia Forum
Union leaders discussed Thursday the priorities in European social dialogue in the era of artificial intelligence during a workshop in Sofia. The two-day kick-off seminar is an annual event organized by the European Centre for Workers' Questions (EZA). The conference will investigate implications on job quantity and quality, its benefits for workers, its risks and its ethical implications. It will be an opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the stake of the social dialogue and the priorities of European employment and social policy.
The forum is titled "Priorities of the European Social Dialogue Ready for AI? – The World of Work in an Upcoming Revolution", and will continue until November 24.
Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel said in a video address to the participants that Europe should become a leader in the coming years in the use of artificial intelligence based on inclusiveness, efficiency and relevance. "Only with an approach that respects human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights can we succeed," she said. Gabriel also said that AI is about opportunity but it also poses many risks, including for human rights and for privacy.
She said that the present-day labour landscape is so dynamic that the professional skills in demand change all the time. She said it is important to teach flexible skills and to be able to use the new technologies and have skills called for the Green Deal and the circular economy.
The leader of the Podkrepa Labour Confederation, Dimitar Manolov, believes that the development of technologies cannot outpace human development. Also, he would not agree to call "intelligence" something that has been accomplished through technology "because only people have intelligence".
He was adamant that "machines must serve man". He believes he has reasons to worry "about the way machines enter human lives".
EZA President Luc Van den Brande underscored in his remarks the need to reach a balance between the ethical aspects and commercial advantages of AI. He said it is important to rethink the purpose of AI in a world which should be focused on people and not on machines.
/YV/
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