114th Session of the International Labour Conference - Agenda Item I(b): Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the Director-General

Mr. Director-General, 

At a time when humanity is at a crossroads and facing the immense potential generated by the digital revolution driven by AI, Pope Leo XIV wrote his first Encyclical Letter, “Magnifica Humanitas: On the protection of the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence” (AI).

The world of work is not immune to this change of era. In this context, AI must always function “as a tool for the good of human beings, not to diminish them, not to replace them.”[1]  In light of the emerging challenges posed by new forms of dehumanizing slavery, it is imperative to uphold human dignity and adopt a human-centered approach in all the aspects of work.[2] In this regard, ethical AI safeguards should not be considered an afterthought, but must be embedded early in every AI model development process, as well as thoroughly verified before making it accessible to the public.

Mr. Director-General,

A human-centered approach requires action in at least five core areas.

Firstly, the benefits of AI should be distributed equally. Unfortunately, a digital divide persists and grows, not only in terms of infrastructure, but also in terms of skills. In this regard, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance “to educate ourselves and others about how to use AI intentionally.”[3] Closing the divide through cooperative efforts grounded in solidarity is not a peripheral concern. Rather, it is a prerequisite for any governance framework.

Secondly, it is essential to identify and carefully assess which values are incorporated into AI models from the initial stage. It is insufficient to merely appeal for the so-called moralization of machines. For instance, when AI is assessed against criteria of productivity and cost reduction, it inevitably produces a distorted, commodified idea of work.[4] Instead, the ethical frameworks should be subject to shared standards of social justice. “Otherwise, those who control AI will impose their own moral vision, which will become the invisible infrastructure of these systems.”[5] Indeed, this concentration of power over mainstream AI applications in the hands of a few raises significant ethical concerns.^[6]

Thirdly, it is vital to accompany technological progress with an equally robust protection of workers’ rights. “Job insecurity, fragmented career paths and automation must not be evaluated solely in terms of efficiency, but in relation to the dignity of the worker, the right to sufficient remuneration and the genuine possibility of participating in society.”[7] The fact that workers are often forced to adapt to the speed of machines, rather than machines being designed to help workers, must be remedied.[8]

Fourthly, greater attention should be given to the most vulnerable workers and to their conditions. This includes the more than 150 million “data labourers” around the globe.[9] In this regard, the ongoing work of the Standard-Setting Committee on platform workers must be encouraged. 

Fifthly, it is also necessary to harness the genuine benefits of AI, including its capacity to reduce human exposure to dangerous, degrading or monotonous tasks, and to strengthen occupational safety and health. It is important to note that AI systems are not completely neutral; they have the capacity to encourage participation and promote justice. At the same time, there is a risk that they may intensify inequality, control and exclusion.[10] It is imperative that adequate social protection systems are in place, encompassing extended social protection floors, alongside upskilling and reskilling programmes so that society can benefit fully.

Mr. Director-General,

We stand at a critical moment of choice, which is also a moment of responsibility: the responsibility to ensure that the future of work serves the human person and not the other way around. In this regard, Pope Leo XIV calls for, “a coordinated local and global governance of AI, based on the shared recognition of the inherent dignity and fundamental freedoms of the human person.”[11] Such governance must be developed through genuine societal dialogue, rather than by technical expertise alone, as “solidarity demands that decisions regarding […] AI take into account not only the immediate benefit for a few, but also the impact on all peoples.”[12] This Organization, with its unique tripartite structure, is uniquely positioned to help shape this effort.

Thank you.