Labour Transformation in the Digital Age: Impact of AI on Labour Relations

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other disruptive technologies, is transforming the world of work in profound ways. The automation of tasks, the rise of the gig economy, and accelerated digitalization pose unprecedented challenges and opportunities for labour relations. This essay analyses how AI is impacting productivity, efficiency, and the very nature of employment, as well as the dynamics between the State, employers, and workers. The risks of job displacement, the growing inequality in access to opportunities, and the need to adapt to new skill demands are explored. In addition, the importance of social dialogue and the creation of a new social contract that guarantees a fair transition to a labour future shaped by AI is emphasized, especially in emerging economies such as those in Latin America, where the challenges are particularly complex.