Inclusive policies and social dialogue key to navigating AI transformation in Asian labour markets

BANGKOK (ILO News) - Participants at a Regional Policy Dialogue have called for inclusive measures and strong social dialogue to support those at risk of being left behind as Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms labour markets across Asia.

Bringing together governments, workers', and employers' organizations from South-East Asia and China in Bangkok, Thailand from 26 - 27 August, the Regional Policy Dialogue 2026: Harnessing AI to Build Employment-Friendly Labour Markets in ASEAN and China, provided a platform for participants to discuss how AI is transforming labour markets and share successful approaches and lessons learned on innovative AI applications in public employment services and skills development systems.

Through South-South knowledge sharing, participants explored policy innovations for ethical and safe AI adoption to advance social justice and decent work across the region.

Amongst the key takeaways was a recognition that human judgment and social dialogue will remain essential in building inclusive and resilient labour markets in the AI era. Participants called for strengthened reskilling and upskilling initiatives to help workers adapt to rapidly evolving labour market demands. The discussions also drew attention to the digital divide, stressing that AI governance and policymaking must account for disparities in digital access to leave no one behind.

Participants engage in group work to share reflections and key takeaways from the two-day discussions.

Participants heard that although AI is transforming the world of work, its impacts will not be experienced equally. In South-East Asia, almost 80 million workers are employed in jobs with potential exposure to Generative AI, highlighting the emergence of AI as a key policy priority across the region.

The event was co-organized by the International Labour Organization(ILO) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China through the ILO Promoting the global development initiative with a focus on South-South cooperation in employment in ASEAN project.

Speaking at the opening, Wu Xiuzhang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China said, "China stands ready to engage in extensive international cooperation on Artificial Intelligence with countries around the world, strengthen alignment and coordination in areas such as development strategies, governance frameworks, and technical standards, and promote the use of AI to support labour policy formulation, so as to accelerate the achievement of the shared goal of decent work for all."

Panellists share successful approaches and practical pathways for integrating AI and advanced technologies into public employment services.

Meanwhile Tuomo Poutiainen, Deputy Regional Director, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation in ensuring that the opportunities presented by AI are translated into inclusive labour market outcomes and decent work.

"The economies of ASEAN and China are among the most dynamic in the world. Rapid digitalization, demographic change, climate transitions, and evolving patterns of globalization are already reshaping labour markets. The challenge before us is therefore not whether AI will transform labour markets, but how we can harness this transformation in ways that are employment-friendly, inclusive, and aligned with the principles of decent work. By learning from one another, we can identify practical policy solutions and strengthen South-South Cooperation on one of the defining issues of our time," he said.

Representatives from government, workers' and employers' organizations explore priority areas for ASEAN-China regional cooperation for inclusive and responsible AI governance in the region.

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For further information please contact:
Tarinee Youkhaw
Advocacy & Knowledge Management Officer
ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN project
Email: [email protected]