About ILO
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.Only tripartite U.N. agency, the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers representatives of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
Activities by ILO
AI and jobs. A review of theory, estimates, and evidence
Global Not ApplicableGenerative AI is altering work processes, task composition, and organizational design, yet its effects on employment and the macroeconomy remain unresolved. In this review, we synthesize theory and empirical evidence at three levels. First, we trace the evolution from aggregate production frameworks to task- and expertise-based models. Second, we quantitatively review and compare (ex-ante) AI exposure measures of occupations from multiple studies and find convergence towards high-wage jobs. Third, we assemble ex-post evidence of AI's impact on employment from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), field experiments, and digital trace data (e.g., online labor platforms, software repositories), complemented by partial coverage of surveys. Across the reviewed studies, productivity gains are sizable but context-dependent: on the order of 20 to 60 percent in controlled RCTs, and 15 to 30 percent in field experiments. Novice workers tend to benefit more from LLMs in simple tasks. Across complex tasks, evidence is mixed on whether low or high-skilled workers benefit more. Digital trace data show substitution between humans and machines in writing and translation alongside rising demand for AI, with mild evidence of declining demand for novice workers. A more substantial decrease in demand for novice jobs across AI complementary work emerges from recent studies using surveys, platform payment records, or administrative data. Research gaps include the focus on simple tasks in experiments, the limited diversity of LLMs studied, and technology-centric AI exposure measures that overlook adoption dynamics and whether exposure translates into substitution, productivity gains, erode or increase expertise.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsDigitalization of national TVET and skills systems: Harnessing technology to support LLL
Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Arab States SenegalCombodiaLebanonIndonesiaThis report explores the potential for digitalization of different functions in TVET, skills development and Lifelong learning systems. It provides an overview of the issues surrounding digitalization and offers guidance on a strategic, holistic and coordinated approach for national systems.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceTechnical meeting on the future of work in the arts and entertainment sector
Global AlgeriaAngolaArmeniaBrazilCentral African RepublicCosta RicaEcuadorFijiGermanyFijiIndonesiaIraqLatviaMalaysiaMaliMauritiusNicaraguaRepublic of MoldovaPolandSri LankaTanzaniaTunisiaTürkiyeUzbekistanA technical meeting to discuss opportunities and challenges for decent work in the arts and entertainment sector in the context of digital technologies. The meeting resulted in agreed conclusions and recommendations for future action.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidancePlatform work and the employment relationship
GlobalThis working paper analyses national and supranational case law and legislation about the employment status of platform workers. It refers to the ILO Employment Relationship Recommendation, 2006 (No. 198) and provides a valuable compass for navigating the issues that emerge from platform work.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory Guidance