The global governance of AI and the future of work

Vicente Silva

Chapter 18 in Handbook on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, 2026, pp 299-314 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the global labor governance response to artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for work in three dimensions: its instrumental value as a source of income, its subjective value tied to worker autonomy, and its normative value linked to labor rights. AI deployment can disrupt job security through automation, challenge labor rights by introducing discriminatory practices in AI-driven decisions, and undermine worker autonomy through intensified surveillance and performance monitoring. At the same time, there is an economic potential in AI that incentivizes its adoption beyond regulatory concerns. Key actors in global labor governance have promoted AI principles and ethical guidelines to address these challenges. However, their governance instruments remain largely non-binding, with no enforceable labor rights, creating significant gaps in AI governance. Moving forward, global labor governance must focus on developing stronger, enforceable measures to protect workers from technological displacement and ensure AI systems align with fair labor practices.

Keywords: Global Labor Governance; Artificial Intelligence; Future Of Work; Labor Rights; International Trade Unions; Employer Organizations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035338573
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035338580.00026 (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 403 Forbidden

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:23551_18

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Jack Sweeney ().