GENEVA: Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi called on Thursday for the responsible use of artificial intelligence to build a more inclusive, productive and sustainable future of work, as the sector’s leaders gathered in Geneva for the International Labour Conference.
Addressing the plenary session of the 114th ILC gathering, Al-Rajhi said AI needs to be regulated to protect workers and the market.
“The future of work in the age of artificial intelligence will not be determined by technology alone, but by the ability to invest in people, develop skills, enhance protections, and ensure that technological transformation creates quality and sustainable jobs,” he said in his address carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Rajhi welcomed a report by the International Labour Organization’s Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo titled “A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work.”
The minister said AI offers major opportunities to boost productivity and labor market efficiency while also presenting challenges that require balanced and responsible policies.
The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, saying it reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to using advanced technologies to support development, improve quality of life and promote a more sustainable future.
He also outlined several Saudi initiatives aimed at preparing workers for technological change. These include the National Skills Platform, which uses AI to support learning pathways and assessments, as well as the Saudi Classification of Skills and Occupations, designed to keep pace with evolving labor-market needs.
Al-Rajhi said Saudi Arabia is also deploying AI and digital technologies to strengthen labor compliance and protect workers’ rights. Predictive analytics and digital monitoring tools help identify risks, improve inspection efficiency and detect labor violations at an early stage.
Among the Kingdom’s recent reforms are the Labor Market Strategy, the Wage Protection Program and the Qiwa platform. The platform uses generative AI and AI agents to provide services to more than 2 million establishments and 12 million private-sector workers across Saudi Arabia.
The minister stressed that international cooperation would be critical as labor markets worldwide face rapid technological change and uneven impacts across countries and sectors.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the conference includes representatives from government, employers and workers. The annual gathering, from June 1 to 12, brings together governments, employer organizations and labor representatives to discuss global employment and workplace issues.
The participation reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to contribute to international labor policy discussions and support fair, inclusive and future-ready labor markets, the SPA report said.