International Labour Organization

In my view, the biggest outcome should be a global accountability mechanism on AI governance. We could start with a recommendation that is not legally-binding for UN member states. As I work with the ILO, I would focus on a recommendation that ensures employers upskill their workers to work alongside AI and automotive in general.

• Transparency, accountability, and human oversight
• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• AI capacity-building
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI

My four selected options generally focus on maintaining human rights and workers' rights, during the advent of AI. While AI and automated tasks will lead to more productivity in the workplace, we need to consider the implications on human workers, whom we ourselves are part of. For example, I chose AI Capacity-building because that is one of way ensuring human workers are not left behind.

Yes, the listed themes, though obtained from the Resolution 79/325, do not capture the implication of AI on the following: gender, migrant workers and refugees, workers who identify as Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, an emerging issue that has not been identified is the implication of 'Physical AI' in the form of humanoid robots.

In Uganda, the most significant challenge is how AI algorithms affect our platform workers, which is an area I work in at the ILO. We have uber drivers who compain about low profit margins due to an AI-determined calculation of distances. They also complain about a lack of social protection as they are not considered employees, since the platforms do not consider themselves employers. This is also being discussed at the International Labour Conference this year, following up from last year. In terms of opportunities, AI-driven startups are emerging in Uganda, just as they are globally, which is creating new jobs. We also have upskilling initiatives, including one I am designed at the ILO called the 'Online Gig Work' programme, targetting young refugees and nationals. It includes a module on microwork (building AI models).

At the ILO, social dialogue is considered an extremely important tool for achieving decent work. The role of AI Dialogue cannot be understated. It brings mutual understanding of diverse AI contexts (including from the Global South), brainstorming new ideas from a wide range of sources, and collective action towards governing AI.

Some existing initiatives include the ongoing work at the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) in Turin, Italy (the training arm.of the ILO), where they are building the capacity of governments, employers, workers and UN staff on AI governance. Recently I concluded an ITCILO training course on Humanoid Robots in the World of Work. Additionally, the AI Dialogue could build on the work happening here in Uganda, for example the ILO 'Online Gig Work' and 'Workverse VR Skilling' programmes that are trying to ensure decent microwork creates jobs for young people, including vulnerable refugees. I coordinate both.

Different stakeholders can contribute through attending regular meetings, including within Virtual Reality which offers an immersive space to meet, while it upskills users on using such technology. This is something we are testing in Uganda with the Workverse platform that I innovated. This reduces meeting travel costs while offering an immersive new way of meeting. The platform also includes AI assistants.

Women, People of Colour, the Global South, and Persons with Disabilities are grossly underrepresented in this conversation at the moment. They can be included by having targetted mobilization techniques such as connecting with the civil society organizations that represent these marginalized voices. Also, we should ensure safe and accessible spaces for them to air their views. I implement this in my work at the ILO.

Virtual reality dialogues can ensure that people from around the world are included, including PWDs and those who cannot travel either due to cost or other barriers. We are experimenting with this via the Workverse, developed by my team in Uganda. Another unique engagement format could be the creation of an online portal or Community of Practice, with discuss fora on AI.

Here in Uganda, we have a new AI committee of experts. Additionally, there is a new national policy on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) aimed at promoting decent online work and supporting online workers- this would include AI governance. I am collaborating with Ministry of ICT colleagues on this. In the region, Kenya has developed a new AI policy, and I recently attended an online LinkedIn dialogue between the Kenya Gig Workers Union and their Lawyers Union, where they discussed how to ensure the new AI policy protects online workers. This was a unique approach that can be done elsewhere (dialogues with legal professionals).