Brics embraces AI but leaves job displacement largely unaddressed
NEW DELHI: The Brics nations have outlined a comprehensive strategy to prepare their citizens for an AI-driven economy in their New Delhi Declaration, yet the document remains silent on how to support workers who may lose or significantly alter their jobs due to automation and AI. While the declaration touts AI as a "immense opportunity to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development for all" and emphasizes safety, security, inclusion, and reliability, it primarily focuses on equipping workers with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving job requirements rather than addressing the potential job displacement caused by AI.
The Brics nations commit to enhancing cooperation in forecasting skills needs through labor market analysis in digital, green, care, and other priority sectors, and they endorse the BRICS Connect network for capacity building, employability, and new skills and technologies. The declaration also acknowledges the need to expand social protection for gig and platform workers and protects workers crossing borders by ensuring the portability of benefits.
Additionally, it introduces an International Digital Platform for Remote Employment for Brics countries. However, the declaration fails to provide a specific commitment to identify occupations at risk of automation, offer transition support to affected workers, or track AI-related job losses. This omission is particularly notable given Brics' simultaneous push to encourage broader adoption of AI across its economies.
The Centre for Industrial Competencies within the Brics framework supports manufacturing companies, including SMEs, in integrating Industry 4.0 and advanced digital production technologies, including AI. The declaration does acknowledge certain AI-related risks beyond employment, such as risks to intellectual property stemming from misappropriation and misrepresentation of knowledge, heritage, and cultural values within datasets and AI models.
For workers, the declaration assures a future-ready labor market, ensuring that no worker is left behind.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
