The Research Seminar presented and discussed recent and ongoing research concerning the potential influence of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), on labour markets, skills, and various social aspects.

With the rapid proliferation of emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning in workplaces worldwide, it is crucial to continue examining the labour market and social impacts of these technological innovations. Introducing these advancements into the workplace is anticipated to bring about positive changes, including efficiency gains, new jobs in the ICT sector, improved access to services and products, enhanced job safety, and a reduction of human errors. However, there are numerous challenges to consider. The advent of AI and automation may render certain jobs and professions obsolete, possibly resulting in increased unemployment rates in specific sectors and likely exacerbating social inequality. Machine learning and AI systems are susceptible to biased decision-making, leading to potential discrimination (e.g., in recruitment processes). Other concerns include risks to privacy and confidentiality, and ethical and legal principles as well as heightened psychosocial risks such as feelings of alienation and diminished motivation.

To tap into the opportunities offered by emerging technologies, skills will play a key role. Yet, looking at the labour supply, the Digital Economy and Society Index 2022 indicates that more than 40% of Europeans lack digital skills. This is also reflected in the high number of vacancies for ICT professionals which remain hard to fill. These numbers suggest a lack of preparedness for Europeans in view of the upcoming digital revolution. However, the existing empirical evidence on the impact of AI and machine learning on the labour market and social outcomes as well as on policy implications and related solutions is limited and fragmented. Hence, it is important to further investigate this topic and the related challenges, to better inform policymaking and optimise the design of effective and well-targeted policy solutions to the current challenges.

Call for abstracts

The aim of this research seminar is to take stock of recent and ongoing empirical research on the impact of AI and emerging technologies on the labour market, skills and social outcomes. The European dimension derives either from (comparative) research covering two or more EU countries, or from the relevance of the research for EU policies. A non-exhaustive list of topics includes:

• The sectors and occupations most at risk of job replacement by AI, as well as the sectors and occupations that will / could benefit most from new AI-driven innovation
• The impact of AI on the transformation of jobs, the organisation of work, the productivity of enterprises and sectors in the EU
• The level of preparedness and digital skills of the European workforce
• The effects of AI and emerging technologies on labour market changes/characteristics (shifts in labour/skills demand, employee churn, shifts in wage structure, changes in recruitment processes and performance evaluations, etc.)
• The effects of AI and emerging technologies on social outcomes, i.e., inequality and in-work poverty, also differentiated by vulnerable groups (women, migrants, etc.)
• The effects of AI and emerging technologies on working conditions, such as psychosocial risks, health and safety risks, privacy threats, etc.

Please submit your abstract (2000 characters maximum – including research questions, methodology applied, main results) and biography (1200 characters maximum) electronically by July 14, 2023 via this link.

Presented analytical work should preferably be empirical and cover the EU, or be based on methodologies that could be scaled up at EU-level. The methods and data used should be shortly presented in the abstracts.

Please indicate in the abstract:

• What is the target population/geographic scope? What are the policy implications and relevance outside the geographic scope of analysis (external validity at the EU-27 level)?
• What are the empirical methods?
• What is the underlying evidence? (e.g., survey and sample sizes, date of fieldwork/waves, administrative data and source)
• What are the results of the empirical work?

Abstracts will be reviewed by the SSM team, which includes representatives from the European Commission, ICF Consulting and HIVA. Abstracts will be assessed based on their quality and relevance for the work of the SSM team.

The SSM Research Seminar will take place in Brussels, with face-to-face presentations by the invited speakers and the possibility for the participants to join online.

The presentations will follow a blended learning approach (one speaker per paper in case of co-authored papers). During the Research Seminar, speakers will be given the opportunity to respond to questions from the audience and actively participate in the discussion with economists and analysts working in policy-making organisations and their academic peers.  

Background

The Social Situation Monitor (SSM) Research Seminars aim to provide a forum to discuss the theoretical, methodological and policy implications of the latest economic and social research. More specifically, SSM Research Seminars aim to inform:

• the economic and social analysis of the European Commission in general, and the Commission’s Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review in particular;
• the economic and social analysis of the European Commission’s stakeholders;
• the economic and social policies of the European Commission and its stakeholders.