A new working paper by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has cautioned that, while artificial intelligence (AI) is enhancing efficiency and productivity, it is also introducing significant risks to workers’ mental and social well-being.
The report, released recently, highlights that the increasing deployment of AI across workplaces worldwide is driving heightened surveillance, heavier workloads, reduced job autonomy, and growing concerns over the use of personal data.
According to the ILO, AI tools are now embedded throughout the employment lifecycle—from recruitment to performance monitoring—fundamentally reshaping how work is planned, organised, and managed. While acknowledging the benefits of the technology, the organisation warned that workers’ well-being could be compromised if these developments are not carefully governed.
The paper examines how AI-driven systems differ from traditional management approaches and their implications for the psychosocial work environment. It finds that continuous monitoring and data-driven decision-making are placing new pressures on employees, contributing to stress, diminished independence, and heightened privacy concerns.
The ILO further noted that AI adoption is expanding beyond digital platforms into conventional workplaces, raising additional challenges around transparency in decision-making and the growing reliance on automated performance assessment systems. It also observed that several countries are beginning to address these issues through emerging policies and regulatory frameworks.
However, the organisation warned that many existing occupational safety laws remain ill-equipped to address these evolving risks, as they tend to focus primarily on physical hazards rather than mental and social well-being.
The report also found that no single, comprehensive legal framework currently addresses the full impact of AI on the world of work. The ILO emphasised that an effective response will require an integrated policy approach combining labour legislation, occupational safety standards, equality provisions, and data protection measures.
By raising these concerns, the organisation said the paper is intended to guide policymakers, urging governments and institutions to strike a careful balance between safeguarding workers and enabling technological innovation.
