Laguesma admits possible worker displacement due to artificial intelligence

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Sunday said there is a looming displacement of workers in the country amid the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, the chief of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), however, explained that the agency could not prevent or prohibit such technological developments.

What it could do, he said, is to prepare for the effects it would bring to the labor sector.

“Bawat pagbabago sa larangan ng paggawa, hindi maitatanggi na merong puwedeng maging dislokasyon pero mahalaga siguro, paghandaan natin,” Laguesma said.

(Every change in the field of work could result in dislocation of workers, but what is important is we prepare for it.)

“Ang mahalaga siguro ay mapaghandaan at makita natin kung anong klase ng paggabay o pagtulong sa ating mga manggagawa. Ganu'n din naman kung ano ang dapat gawin ng mga namumuhunan nang sa gano'n ay hindi magkaroon talaga ng mabigat na displacement o dislokasyon sa ating mga manggagawa.”

(What’s important is that we prepare and see what kind of guidance or assistance we could give to our workers, as well as what the investors should do so there will be no heavy displacement or dislocation among the workers.)

To do so, Laguesma said DOLE is coordinating with employers and companies to know if they will introduce AI in their respective work processes, and explain its possible effects to the labor force.

He said the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also set to establish innovation centers that will offer skills training for workers to keep up with new technologies such as AI, without forgetting the traditional ones.

“From every loss, mayroon ding gains na nakikita. Mayroon ding kapakinabangan dahil kailangan tayong sumabay sa mga kaganapan sa buong mundo dahil kailangan nating maging competitive. Subalit, mahalaga talaga na pag-ukulan ng pansin ang kalagayan at kapakanan ng mga manggagawa,” he said.

(From every loss, there are gains. It also has an advantage for us to keep up with the events around the world because we have to be competitive. However, it is really important to pay attention to the condition and welfare of the workers.)

McCormick Foundation associate dean for digital innovation and professor of technology Dr. Mohanbir Sawhney earlier said that the Philippines should start upskilling its workforce to be able to compete with the advent of AI as services continue to drive the country’s economy. —KG, GMA Integrated News