Government, employer, and worker representatives from the manufacturing sector have adopted the first-ever tripartite conclusions on artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, outlining challenges and opportunities for promoting decent work, productivity and a just transition.
Adopted on 17 April following five days of discussions at the International Labour Organization (ILO), the conclusions set out recommendations to ensure that AI supports decent work, enhances productivity, and contributes to a just transition. Their adoption marks a significant step in the ILO's efforts to address the profound changes that AI is bringing to a sector employing almost 500 million workers worldwide.
The conclusions cover a wide range of decent work considerations, including the respect for and application of fundamental principles and rights at work, employment, skills and occupational safety and health policies, social protection and the role of social dialogue in managing AI-driven change.
"Almost 500 million workers depend on manufacturing for their livelihoods. As AI reshapes the sector, these conclusions provide the guidance that governments, employers and workers need to ensure that technological change translates into decent and better jobs, resilient and stronger sustainable enterprises and more inclusive growth", said Magnús M. Norddahl, Chairperson of the meeting (Iceland).
"What makes these conclusions powerful is that they were forged through genuine tripartite dialogue on one of the most complex issues of our time. They show that promoting productivity and fostering workers' rights and protection are not trade-offs but shared goals", said Frank Hagemann, Director of Sectoral Policies at the ILO.
The conclusions were developed through discussions among experts from government ministries of labour, industry, technology, employers in manufacturing industries, and trade unions representing manufacturing workers from 54 countries.
Key recommendations include strengthening skills development and lifelong learning; creating an enabling environment for enterprises to seize AI's productivity potential; ensuring fundamental principles and rights at work, including occupational safety and health, in AI enabled manufacturing; ensuring decent working conditions; addressing regulatory frameworks in the context of AI; and strengthening social dialogue to manage the transformation.
The conclusions will be submitted to the Governing Body in November 2026 for approval for dissemination.
