On 9 March, EU27 ministers and ministerial representatives responsible for employment and social affairs will be debating the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving working conditions, as well as strategies for breaking cycles of poverty.
They will also adopt conclusions on investing in children to strengthen their well-being and combat poverty. Public discussion notes have been prepared for this purpose by the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council.
Can AI improve the quality of employment? During this public debate, European leaders will be invited to say how the ‘European Semester’ budgetary process can better support reforms aimed at reducing obstacles in the labour market and improving the efficiency of matching job offers and demands in the context of the transformations brought about by AI.
They will also have to identify the additional measures needed at national and European level to ensure that the adoption of AI in the workplace strengthens workers’ rights and supports upward social convergence.
The deployment of AI and other advanced digital technologies in the workplace cannot be assessed solely in terms of productivity. Technological systems are embedded in organisational choices, human resource management models and broader business strategies.
Economic theory suggests that productivity-enhancing innovation generates durable employment gains when accompanied by complementary investment in skills and supported by effective labour market institutions, writes the Presidency in particular.
Continuous upskilling and reskilling must become a permanent feature of European labour markets rather than an exceptional response to crisis, the note also stresses.
Advanced labour market intelligence tools improve forecasting of skill needs, identify bottlenecks and support targeted training policies. But also “evidence shows that workers displaced by technological change may face prolonged unemployment or lasting wage losses without adequate support”.
Debate on poverty. The debate on poverty will focus on person-centred enabling and activation services, which “have proven to be effective ways in tackling social inequalities and empowering persons to develop their full potential”.
According to a note from the Presidency, this discussion “aims to facilitate exploring the transition from purely monetary benefits to holistic and supportive personalised assistance and in-kind services”.
Ministers may reflect how social protection systems and activation services can be better aligned towards autonomy, social inclusion and employment.
Investing in childhood. Finally, the conclusions on investing in children are expected to include a call for Member States to accelerate progress towards the EU 2030 poverty reduction target, “while having in mind the importance of access to essential, affordable, inclusive and high-quality services, gender-balanced parental participation in the labour market and income support and social assistance”.
They will also be expected to strengthen the implementation, “depending on national challenges, of the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee which provides a supportive policy framework to combat child poverty and social exclusion and enhance equal opportunities for the well-being of children in need and their families”.
Links to public documents: https://aeur.eu/f/kyy ; https://aeur.eu/f/kyz ; https://aeur.eu/f/kz0 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)