A two-day international conference in Belval sought to explore how advances in fields such as artificial intelligence will affect the workplace.
The conference was organised by the National Research Fund, together with LISER, the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research. Experts assembled in Belval to discuss advancing technology and the similar challenges faced by European countries, with artificial intelligence forming a key topic.
Although AI, along with other technology, can prove useful in the workplace, particularly where staff is lacking, it is far from being the solution, argued LISER's Dr Christina Gathmann. Despite the potential for support, AI could negatively impact highly-qualified workers, whereas previous technological advances were more likely to affect the lower-qualified workforce.
Younger people are more likely to benefit from the dynamic as companies are more likely to invest in their training. However, the lack of specialist staff is unlikely to be solved by digitisation.
Dr Gathmann explained there is still a lot of work required where humans are needed to work alongside machines and algorithms, as the automated processes don't always function correctly. She said other solutions were required to tackle the staff shortages, such as encouraging workers from other demographics to join the sector.
As for the green transition, experts say we are just beginning to be able to estimate the impact on the workplace; but it is vital for governments to continue investing in green technology and encouraging innovation in environmental business practices.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
