WAPES President speaks at the “Future of Work in the Age of AI Forum” in Riga
The Forum brought together more than 600 participants and over 60 speakers from different sectors to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming labour markets, public services and societies more broadly. The event aimed to foster cross-sector collaboration and translate strategic discussions into practical solutions that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion, while keeping people at the centre of technological change.
WAPES was honored to be represented at this important event by its President, Greta Metka Barbo Škerbinc.
In her intervention, Ms Metka Barbo Škerbinc also highlighted the work of the WAPES Working Group on Digitalisation and AI, which provides an international platform for exchange among Public Employment Services on the opportunities, challenges and practical implications of digital transformation.
This includes discussions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence, peer learning across countries, and reflection on how innovation can support more inclusive, accessible and effective employment services.
Her participation underlined the importance of international cooperation between public employment services at a time of rapid change in the labor market. From WAPES’ point of view, the development and use of AI in employment services must remain transparent, accountable and sensitive to different public service, legal and linguistic contexts.
The Forum in Riga offered an important opportunity to strengthen dialogue between policymakers, practitioners, experts and technology actors on how AI can be used in ways that genuinely support people and labour market inclusion.
WAPES warmly thanks its Latvian member NVA, together with the event organisers, for the invitation and for making this timely and forward-looking discussion possible.
