NESC Participates in EESC-CNEL Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Industrial Relations

• 28 January 2025
• Topics: Economic Social
• Types: News

David Hallinan, bottom right, at the EESC-CNEL Conference on AI.

 

On 24th January 2025 NESC Policy Analyst Dr David Hallinan took part in a conference organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Italian National Council for Economics and Labour (Consiglio Nazionale dell’Economia e del Lavoro – CNEL) on “Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Relations”.

The conference heard contributions from academic experts, EESC representatives, and equivalent bodies to NESC operating in several European countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Greece. A central theme of the conference was the role of social partners in the adoption, regulation and development of AI. CNEL President Renato Brunetta announced the creation of a database which will collect the main applications of AI impacting companies and work; particular attention will be paid to those affecting labour relations between companies and unions.

David presented the findings of recent NESC research on the implications of AI for job quality, as well as other Irish research on the labour market impacts of AI. His presentation also described the Irish government’s strategy to promote responsible use of AI, as well as NESC’s view that social dialogue is essential to maximise the benefits and mitigate the risks associated with it. David also outlined how future NESC research will examine issues such as the labour market impacts of Generative AI (GenAI), AI adoption in the context of public services, and public engagement and transparency in AI governance.