“AI must be a tool to help, not to control”

10 Jun 2026 - Economy | Home | News | Politics | Technology

GWU Secretary General Kevin Camilleri addresses the International Labour Conference in Geneva

The newly appointed General Secretary of the General Workers’ Union (GWU), Kevin Camilleri, addressed the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, where he called for a fairer, more transparent, and inclusive approach to regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the world of work.

In his first intervention as GWU Secretary General, before representatives of governments, trade unions and employers from around the world, Kevin Camilleri referred to the Director-General of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) report, “A Moment of Choice: Harnessing AI for Decent Work”, stressing that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a challenge of the future but a reality already transforming how work is organised, measured, and managed.

He stated that while Malta has embraced digitalisation rapidly, technological progress must be accompanied by strong governance to prevent uncertainty and new forms of vulnerability in the workplace.

The GWU Secretary General emphasised that the main concern is not necessarily job losses, but rather the deterioration in job quality through automated systems that increasingly influence decisions related to performance, working hours, and even workplace discipline.

“As the Director-General rightly pointed out, decent work means dignity, justice, and respect for workers. When algorithmic systems make decisions without transparency or the possibility of human review, we risk undermining these fundamental principles,” Camilleri said.

He also warned of the risk that AI could further widen existing inequalities, particularly among women, young people, and migrant workers, who are often employed in sectors more exposed to automation and algorithmic management.

Kevin Camilleri reiterated that training and re-skilling should be a workers’ right and not an individual burden, while calling for productivity gains brought about by AI to translate into concrete benefits for workers, including better wages, improved work-life balance, and stronger social protection.

During his address, he also stressed the need for stronger social dialogue before AI systems are introduced in workplaces, including mandatory consultation with workers’ representatives, the right to explanations regarding automated decisions, and extending collective bargaining to include issues related to algorithmic management, data protection, and mental health.

Concluding his intervention, the GWU Secretary General also referred to geopolitical instability in the Middle East, stressing that workers are often carrying the greatest burden of conflict and insecurity. He called for stronger international commitment to protect workers, rebuild opportunities for decent work, and safeguard fundamental labour rights even in times of crisis.

The General Workers’ Union continues to insist that technological progress must go hand in hand with social justice, ensuring that Artificial Intelligence serves workers — and not the other way around.