Navigating the landscape of digital safety at work
THE theme for this year's World Day for Safety and Health at Work (April 28), 'Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work', highlighted the profound impact of emerging technologies on work, and the critical need to address the evolving safety and health challenges and opportunities they present.
The International Labour Organisation's focus on the impacts of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) on occupational safety and health resonates deeply within our Malaysian context.
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Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sinar Daily
One in four jobs globally threatened by generative artificial intelligence
Clerical jobs face the highest exposure, as GenAI can theoretically automate a wide range of administrative and data-entry tasks. 01 Jun 2025 09:04am The study said the global exposure rate to GenAI stands at 25 per cent, but the figure climbs to 34 per cent in high-income countries due to greater digital integration. - Photo generated by Sinar Daily ISTANBUL - A report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Poland's National Research Institute (NASK) revealed recently that 25 per cent of jobs worldwide are potentially exposed to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), with clerical and highly digital occupations facing the highest vulnerability. The report, "Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure," presented what researchers describe as the most detailed global assessment to date on how GenAI may reshape labour markets, Anadolu Ajansi reported. But the study highlights that job transformation, not mass displacement, is the more likely outcome of AI's workplace integration. "We went beyond theory to build a tool grounded in real-world jobs," said Pawel Gmyrek, ILO senior researcher and lead author. "By combining human insight, expert review, and generative AI models, we've created a replicable method that helps countries assess risk and respond with precision." The study said the global exposure rate to GenAI stands at 25 per cent, but the figure climbs to 34 per cent in high-income countries due to greater digital integration. Clerical jobs face the highest exposure, as GenAI can theoretically automate a wide range of administrative and data-entry tasks. Other highly exposed roles include cognitive jobs in media, software development, and finance. The report introduces an "occupational exposure index' based on nearly 30,000 job tasks, cross-checked with AI scoring, expert validation and ILO employment data, allowing a more refined analysis of the technology's potential effect across countries and sectors. The findings also highlight a significant gender disparity. In high-income countries, 9.6 per cent of women are employed in jobs at high risk of automation, compared to only 3.5 per cent of men. While acknowledging that GenAI can boost productivity, the report cautions that its effects will depend on the pace of adoption, national infrastructure and workers' digital skills, according to Anadolu. The report urges governments, employers and trade unions to engage in social dialogue and design policies that protect workers, promote upskilling and ensure just transitions in sectors exposed to GenAI. The study aligns with the International Monetary Fund's 2024 assessment that AI could influence up to 40 per cent of jobs globally, with advanced economies bearing the brunt of the shift. - BERNAMA More Like This
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- New Straits Times
ILO: One in four jobs globally exposed to GenAI, but transformation more likely than loss
GENEVA: A new joint study from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Poland's National Research Institute (NASK) found that one in four jobs worldwide is potentially exposed to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) but that transformation, not replacement, is the most likely outcome. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the report, launched on Tuesday, and titled "Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure", introduces the most detailed global assessment to date of how GenAI may reshape the world of work. The index provides a unique and nuanced snapshot of how AI could transform occupations and employment across countries, by combining nearly 30,000 occupational tasks with expert validation, AI-assisted scoring, and ILO harmonised micro data. ILO Senior Researcher and lead author of the study Pawel Gmyrek said: "We went beyond theory to build a tool grounded in real-world jobs. "By combining human insight, expert review, and generative AI models, we've created a replicable method that helps countries assess risk and respond with precision." The report's key findings include a ew "exposure gradients", which cluster occupations according to their level of exposure to Generative AI, help policymakers distinguish between jobs at high risk of full automation and those more likely to evolve through task transformation. Twenty-five per cent of global employment falls within occupations potentially exposed to GenAI, with higher shares in high-income countries (34 per cent). Exposure among women continues to be significantly higher. In high-income countries, jobs at the highest risk of automation make up 9.6 per cent of female employment - a stark contrast to 3.5 per cent of such jobs among men. Clerical jobs face the highest exposure of all, due to GenAI's theoretical ability to automate many of their tasks. However, the expanding abilities of GenAI result in an increased exposure of some highly digitised cognitive jobs in media-, software- and finance-related occupations. Full job automation, however, remains limited, since many tasks, though done more efficiently, continue to require human involvement. The study highlights the possibly divergent paths for occupations accustomed to rapid digital transformations, such as software developers, and those where limited digital skills might have more negative effects. Policies guiding the digital transitions will be a leading factor in determining the extent to which workers may be retained in occupations that are transforming as a result of AI, and how such transformation affects job quality. Marek Troszyński, Senior Expert at NASK and one of co-authors of the new paper, said: "This index helps identify where GenAI is likely to have the biggest impact, so countries can better prepare and protect workers. "Our next step is to apply this new index to detailed labour force data from Poland." The ILO–NASK study emphasised that the figures reflect potential exposure, not actual job losses. Technological constraints, infrastructure gaps, and skills shortages mean that implementation will differ widely by country and sector. The authors stress that GenAI's effect is more likely to transform jobs than eliminate them. The report called on governments, employers', and workers' organisations to engage in social dialogue and shape proactive, inclusive strategies that can enhance productivity and job quality, especially in exposed sectors. – Bernama-WAM
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sarawak talent making waves in UK with groundbreaking AI chip
Abang Johari steps on the podium to officiate the Sarawak-level Workers' Day celebration. – Ukas Photo KUCHING (May 19): Sarawakians are proving they have what it takes to compete on the global stage especially in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and engineering. One Sarawakian scientist is now leading a groundbreaking project in the United Kingdom to develop an AI-powered semiconductor chip capable of solving energy issues in under 10 seconds — a feat that has drawn praise even from the British government, according to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the young scientist is currently based at a government-owned laboratory in Cardiff, Wales, UK. 'I have personally visited this laboratory, and the British government is impressed by the abilities of our Sarawakian. 'Not only did this young scientist create an AI-powered chip, but this chip can also be used to generate energy,' he said during his speech at the Sarawak-level Workers' Day celebration at the Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre here yesterday. The Premier said the scientist's achievement is a powerful example of what Sarawakians can achieve when given access to proper training and opportunities. 'I have informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about this and told him that as soon as our international intellectual property rights are secured, we want this innovation to be launched. 'I told him that this is something we want to launch because it is the creation of our own homegrown talent,' he said. He also said that this achievement is in line with Sarawak's vision to become a high-income and technology-driven state, echoing the development path of several Nordic nations where high productivity is matched by efficient use of advanced technologies. 'We don't want an economy that incurs high costs but delivers low output. 'If technology can bring savings through efficiency and boost productivity, then offering higher salaries will not be a problem,' he said. On a related matter, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government has always taken a cautious and meticulous approach when implementing or amending laws, including the Sarawak Labour Ordinance. 'In accordance with international labour standards under the International Labour Organisation (ILO), we have harmonised the Employment Act 1955 with the Sarawak Labour Ordinance. 'We need to examine the legal details thoroughly because we must ensure that Sarawak's interests are not compromised. The Sarawak Labour Ordinance is part of MA63 so we must be vigilant in safeguarding the rights of Sarawakian workers under our own labour ordinance,' he said. He pointed out that if the state were to simply hand everything over, it could lead to the erosion of Sarawak's rights. 'That is why we in the government are cautious so that our rights are protected. 'I do not want a situation where one day people are saying that Abang Jo just gave it all away,' he said. After more than 20 years, the amended Sarawak Labour Ordinance finally came into force on May 1, allowing workers in Sarawak to have access to the same benefits as their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. Among the key changes in force include a seven-day paternity leave for male employees, an extension of maternity leave from 60 to 98 days, maximum weekly working hours reduced from 48 to 45 hours to ensure the better wellbeing and productivity of employees as well as enabling contract workers to benefit from stronger protections including fairer contract periods and access to employment benefits equivalent to permanent employees. Abang Johari Tun Openg artificial intelligence engineering
