Gulf’s AI Edge

TDT| Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

As artificial intelligence reshapes the global labour market, Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the Gulf, are uniquely poised to turn disruption into opportunity - provided they act swiftly to reskill and upskill their workforce, according to Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, Houngbo underscored the urgent need for Middle Eastern economies to prioritise education and training reforms to stay competitive. He noted that while AI and automation are already “destroying millions of jobs that will not come back,” they are simultaneously creating “millions of new jobs” that require different skill sets.

Technology and innovation

“GCC countries are very well placed because they have already been investing a lot in technology and innovation,” Houngbo said. “That becomes a comparative advantage. From what I see, GCC countries can capitalise on this by investing even more in their youth and ensuring that skills, whether currently skilled or unskilled, are better matched with the requirements of the new economy.”

His comments come at a time when the global labour market faces an unprecedented wave of change, with traditional employment structures giving way to digital, remote, and AI-driven models. For the Gulf countries, which have long invested in building knowledge economies, the transition offers both a challenge and an opening to lead.

Houngbo stressed that the ILO is pushing for governments worldwide to take proactive measures, particularly in reskilling programmes that align workforce capabilities with emerging technological demands. He warned that failing to act now risks widening inequalities and exacerbating social unrest.

Economic progress

On a broader note, Houngbo also highlighted the importance of the Global Coalition for Social Justice - an initiative he has championed to ensure that economic progress is inclusive. He urged countries, including those in the GCC, to continue advancing strong social protection systems and fighting inequalities. “Social justice is giving equal opportunity to everybody,” he said. “Together, let’s fight inequalities to make sure that nobody is left behind.”