Artificial intelligence and labour markets: friend or foe?

Recommendation 2186 (2020)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 22 October 2020 (see Doc. 15159, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Mr Stefan Schennach).

1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution 2345 (2020) “Artificial intelligence and labour markets: friends or foes?” It reiterates its support for the work of the Ad hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAHAI) as regards a legal framework for the design, development and application of artificial intelligence (AI), involving broad multistakeholder consultations and based on core Council of Europe values.

2. The Assembly views with concern the ongoing deployment of AI by both commercial and public entities, which can have a far-reaching impact on fundamental human rights and human dignity, including in the context of employment, while regulatory measures and oversight of AI applications remain extremely limited. It considers that it is time for the Council of Europe to start drafting a comprehensive standard-setting instrument on AI, such as a convention open to non-member States, which will build on collective wisdom, shared values and a pan-European vision for the future.

3. The Assembly therefore calls on the Committee of Ministers to launch the preparation of a comprehensive European legal instrument on AI, which would also cover the need for enhanced protection of work-related social rights.