Bawumia calls for laws to protect workers from AI job losses

New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has advocated for legislation to safeguard workers against potential job losses due to the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While acknowledging AI's potential to enhance productivity, efficiency, and service delivery, Bawumia warned of the technology's rapid advancement posing a threat to employment and workers' income security.

During a discussion with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on labour issues, economic transformation, and the future of work, Bawumia characterized AI as a "frightening prospect" for workers, citing machines and software applications' growing ability to execute tasks once performed by humans. He noted that businesses globally were utilizing automation to cut operational costs and boost productivity, rendering several professions susceptible to technological disruption.

Bawumia stressed the necessity for Ghana to take proactive steps to address AI's implications on the labor market rather than passively observe as the technology reshapes industries. He stressed the importance of a national strategy to ensure that AI adoption fosters economic growth without compromising workers' livelihoods. "Artificial Intelligence should serve as a complement to human labor and not replace it," Bawumia emphasized.

He proposed a collaborative effort among the government, organized labor, employers, and technology experts to devise laws and regulations that protect workers while fostering innovation. The proposed framework should include provisions for retraining, reskilling, and continuous education to ensure workers remain relevant in a rapidly digitizing economy.

Bawumia also urged labor unions to actively partake in national discussions on AI to ensure workers' voices are heard in decisions impacting their employment and future. He expressed concern that Africa's youthful population might experience growing unemployment if technological advancements outpace investments in human capital development.

Bawumia stressed the need for deliberate policies to ensure AI's benefits are equitably distributed, preventing the widening of existing social and economic inequalities. He expressed confidence that appropriate policies and legal safeguards would enable Ghana to reap the benefits of AI while protecting employment and sustaining the dignity of work.