Bringing observatories together to exchange knowledge and evidence, the network strengthens a common understanding of AI’s impact on labour markets. By anticipating the effects of AI on jobs, skills, training, and education, it also supports the responsible use of AI to enhance productivity, skills development, job quality, working conditions, and social dialogue.

As a platform for collaboration, the network enables the sharing of evidence on how AI and algorithmic management affect job quantity and quality, working conditions, and skills needs. It also facilitates the exchange of methodologies, tools, and training materials, helping to strengthen data monitoring, analysis, and policy responses. Beyond evidence sharing, the network supports capacity building by enabling members to exchange practical knowledge and experiences in establishing and running observatories. All in all, these activities contribute to the development of trustworthy and socially responsible AI while promoting decent work, social justice, and an inclusive economic transformation.

The challenges AI poses for employment must be anticipated in an international context that extends beyond EU’s borders. This is particularly important because countries outside the EU already play ­and will continue to play ­a significant role in the development and deployment of AI, while the number of workers using AI globally will far exceed the number of jobs directly affected within the EU. Europe stands to benefit from comparison of its experiences and findings with those of national observatories on other continents, as well as with the work of international organisations such as the OECD and the ILO.

Germany was among the first countries to establish an AI observatory in 2020, it is attached to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). The German observatory aims to promote innovation and ensure responsible AI that serves the public interest. In collaboration with partners from the private and public sector, civil society and science, the observatory addresses five key dimensions: productivity & employment; opportunities, inequality (preventing new inequalities), decent work (improving working conditions); codetermination & societal dialogue, and empowerment & AI literacy.

The observatories have access to privileged exchanges with the OECD/ILO and national experts, alongside exchanges of tools and resources between countries. Joint work within the network is going to be developed on the level of international studies or in the form of consulting national experts on methodology in the field of AI and work. As national observatories and international organisations develop their work on monitoring the impact of AI, the value of this network will grow, as it will benefit from an ever-expanding pool of studies, tools and expertise to share.