ISLAMABAD – International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has urged young people in Pakistan to focus on continuous skills development, teamwork and adaptability as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the global job market.
Speaking on the Pakistan Observer podcast during his visit to Pakistan, Houngbo acknowledged that AI is eliminating millions of jobs while also creating millions of new employment opportunities.
He cautioned that the rapidly evolving technology makes it difficult to predict which jobs will survive in the future.
“The challenge is skills, skills, skills,” Houngbo said, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning alongside traditional academic qualifications.
He explained that technical expertise alone would not be enough, stressing that communication, compassion and teamwork would become increasingly important in workplaces shaped by AI.
Houngbo also encouraged Pakistani youth to view the country’s growing young population as an opportunity for economic development rather than a challenge. He highlighted the importance of technological innovation, entrepreneurship and business development in creating future employment opportunities.
The ILO chief said artificial intelligence could also help address development challenges in healthcare, education and agriculture. He added that the technology could support governments in strengthening labour institutions, modernizing employment policies and improving workplace inspection systems.
Houngbo revealed that the ILO had launched around 20 pilot projects involving AI two years ago and planned to develop its own enterprise AI operating system the following year.
He encouraged young people to keep updating their skills to remain adaptable as technology continues to reshape the world of work.